The recreation needs of Bass Coast were under the microscope at the July Council meeting.

Progress was made on the complex issue of providing aquatic facilities for the Shire, including an upgrade of the Aquatic Centre in Wonthaggi.

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Community and Economic Director, Steven Piasente, said the decision around the Aquatic Centre in Wonthaggi was made in the context of providing aquatic facilities for whole Shire.“The report highlighted the need for improved facilities across the Shire.  It made a number of recommendations which were all carried,” said Mr Piasente.

“The first recommendation was to adopt the Feasibility Study for the Wonthaggi Centre, which recommends an upgrade to the facility. “The report recommended providing a bigger pool than suggested in the original proposal. We now have more work to do to look at the design, staging and funding of this project,” explained Mr Piasente.

Council also agreed to the request by the Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund Committee to work in partnership with them. “Council will establish a working group including the Mayor, Cr Dowman, Cr Duscher and Cr Paul to look at how we can provide aquatic facilities on Phillip Island,” said Mr Piasente. “This working group will need to develop a long term vision and explore what we can do in the short term to provide improved facilities on the Island.”

The final recommendation was to continue to support the Bass Valley community to open the school pool facilities to the public, outside of school hours.

Mr Piasente said the Bass Coast Municipal Recreation Plan, adopted by Council in 2009, supported all the recommendations.