A CHILDREN'S "splash park" and possibly waterslides, together with an expansion of gym and fitness facilities, are being considered for Sutherland Leisure Centre.
Engadine Leisure Centre may get a new water play area and have its outdoor program pool enclosed, while new gym and fitness facilities are proposed for Menai Indoor Sports Centre.
Sutherland Shire Council revealed a range of proposed improvements in a survey distributed to patrons.
A council spokeswoman said the survey had closed and the information was being collated.
"The aim of the survey is to examine how people use the facilities and if users would be interested in future health, fitness and aquatic improvements," she said.
The spokeswoman said the survey specifically focused on Sutherland, Engadine and Menai centres but was distributed at all centres, including Caringbah, as users could access all locations with their memberships.
The survey said Sutherland Leisure Centre management proposed to substantially improve and expand gym and fitness facilities and install a water play/splash park.
Respondents were asked whether such improvements would encourage them to use the centre more often and what new facilities they would like to see.
Options included adventure water rides or waterslides and children’s water play, splash pools and play equipment.
Other suggestions included improved change rooms and cafe, more shade areas, membership packages, more learn to swim space and new aquatic facilities for older adults.
The survey form said Engadine Leisure Centre management proposed to enclose the outdoor program pool.
Respondents were asked what activities they would use the proposed enclosed program pool for in the future.
Options included children’s water play, learn to swim lessons and water exercise.
Menai Indoor Sports Centre users were told
management was investigating health and fitness improvements, and proposed installing gym and fitness facilities.
❏ Caringbah Leisure Centre improvements are being considered as part of a wider proposed masterplan.
As reported last month, the council will seek expressions of interest to redevelop the site in tandem with the Hay Street car park in a joint venture with the private sector.
A council spokeswoman said ‘‘complex issues’’ at the Caringbah centre included the condition of the 50-metre pool, user accessibility and the need to upgrade the plant room with the latest filtration and sanitising equipment.
‘‘Due to the configuration of the facilities and how they were originally installed, it is not a matter of just fixing one asset,’’ she said.
‘‘Council needs to plan a major upgrade of the facilities that is appropriately costed and scheduled so it’s achievable in the short- to medium-term.’’
Mayor Carmelo Pesce said, ‘‘We know that the centre’s many users include children learning to swim, squad teams, fitness classes and keen swimmers as well as people just enjoying a swim on a hot summer’s day.
‘‘That is not going to change; rather we are planning to upgrade and improve the facilities.
“Council is considering the best options for an upgrade and, when we have a plan to move forward, we will be consulting with the community.’’
WEEKLY WORKOUT
Gymea Bay resident Merle Cookson (pictured) is a great advertisement for the aqua aerobics programs at the council leisure centres.
Ms Cookson, 91, attends a 45-minute weekly session throughout the year at Caringbah Leisure Centre, and finds it great for the bad arthritis she suffers in her knees.
‘‘I have been doing it for about 10 years and, while I am not as active as I would like to be, it gets you moving,’’ she said.
Ms Cookson said she would ‘‘absolutely encourage’’ others, and ‘‘especially oldies like me’’, to take it up.