Adelaide Hills War Memorial Swimming Centre

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel) (15:23): I wish to raise in the house the Adelaide Hills War Memorial Swimming Centre. The swimming centre is a significant recreation asset in my community. Amongst many other uses, generations of children have been taught to swim at Woodside. I record that in the 1960s, Mr Norm Semmler and Mr Graham Langbein recognised the need in the area for a pool where local children could learn to swim. There was at the time only a small pool at Oakbank Area School.

With support from the chairman of the then Onkaparinga District Council, Mr Fred Gale, a decision was taken to raise funds for the construction of an 82-foot by 45-foot pool. An elected pool committee raised the funds by selling chopped wood, through debutante balls and by way of many novelty competitions.

The pool was opened on 28 November 1970 and relied heavily on a committee of volunteers as well as the Ladies Auxiliary to help with the general running of the pool and the manning of the canteen. A volunteer committee continues to operate the pool, assisted by a manager. My community is deeply thankful for the committee for its remarkable contribution.

As the facilities stand, the pool can only be used by my community during the summer months. A cover is required to limit heat loss during winter. The pool committee has obtained an engineering report, which would allow for a cover to be installed. Other improvement works are also contemplated by the report. The works will be completed in stages. I will briefly outline the stages for the benefit of the minister and the house.

Stage 1 includes a pool cover of 840 square metres and the relocation of existing solar panels, with a budget estimate of $808,500. The cover would include vents to allow heat to escape in summer. Stage 2 would incorporate upgrades of the main entrance, canteen, change rooms, amenities, gym and office, with an estimate at $948,000. Stage 3 would, amongst other matters, allow for two long sides of the pool to open to the pool grounds and, at this stage, it has a budget estimate of $456,500. The combined works are estimated to cost $2.2 million.

As I am sure all members will be aware, there are economic benefits to regional aquatic and leisure centres. For example, the average aquatic facility creates $2.72 million a year in value to a community. I raise these matters early in the life of this government to place on record my support for upgrades of the War Memorial Swimming Centre. I have met with the minister, and I will invite her to visit the pool. I will be seeking support from the government to realise certain of these improvements for the benefit of my community.

I emphasise that it is absolutely vital that swimming lessons can be delivered in and around Woodside in my community during the winter months. It is unacceptable, in my view, that a small group of children over the winter months are unable to access swimming lessons. This is a matter I will continue to emphasise.