Rockdale residents celebrated on Saturday, July 25, as they watched the first sod being turned for Rockdale City Aquatic Centre.
The new centre, redeveloped at the Bexley pool site, was a win for residents who spent months rallying to see the project begin.
The ageing pool was closed in May last year with construction on the new centre expected to start in September and be completed by May 2016.
However, that was put in doubt after the Liberals and independent councillor Michael Nagi failed to attend at least six council meetings including a confidential session on the pool tender.
Angry residents, who have been without a pool for more than 12 months, staged a rally in December to call for public attention to the problem.
Councillors voted last December to go ahead with the project but with a $24 million price tag, down from $30 million.
The centre will have a 50-metre outdoor pool, a 25-metre indoor combined learn-to-swim and competition pool, an outdoor children’s splash pad, kiosk, creche and community room.
It is expected to open in 2017.
Rockdale mayor Shane O’Brien helped turn the first sod.
Crs Mark Hanna, Liz Barlow, Andrew Tsounis, Joe Awada and James Macdonald helped Cr O’Brien.
Read more in the Leader on Tuesday.
Are you pleased with the Rockdale City Aquatic Centre?
