The Save Carss Park Pool Action Group had gathered more than 4500 signatures on their online petition and are urging residents to take the plunge and sign so they can reach their 5000 target this weekend.
The action group’s members are pursuing all avenues to mobilise the community and let the council know that the pool must remain open.
Members said it is important to make a submission on Georges River Council’s draft Open Space Strategy, currently on public exhibition, expressing their support for the future of the pool.
The draft Open Space Strategy suggests a feasibility study to explore options for the location of a new district aquatic centre which may include remaining at the existing Carrs Park site, locating it to a reconfigured Jubilee Stadium, or finding another alternative site.
The draft Open Space Strategy names a number of community hubs at regional, district and local levels to act as focal points for community activity.
A regional hub is classified in the draft strategy as one that is used by 100,000 plus people, a district hub for between 20,000 to 75,000 people, and a local hub for 10,0000 to 20,000 people.
The draft strategy nominates Carss Park as a district hub, describing it as “a park precinct providing connections to the bush and river, a range of sport and recreation opportunities, community space, and high quality facilities to support long visits.”
Jubilee Stadium is nominated as a regional hub, described a premier sporting precinct offering a range of recreation opportunities for the community. Preliminary analysis suggests that a 50-metre pool may fit within the site, according to the draft strategy.
The future of the Carss Park Pool was placed in doubt in June last year when a Georges River Council report recommended its demolition at the end of the 2018/19 summer season “as the structure has reached its design life”.
The report presented five options for the future use of the site with its demolition as its preferred option to be replaced by a 140 space car space and three multi-purpose sports courts.
But this would only be an “interim arrangement” until the council has determined a final use for the site.
While the action group has been unofficially told that the car park option is off the table they still fear the council intends to close the pool and are urging residents to make a submission to the council on the draft Open Plan Strategy.
They have started an online petition and a Facebook page and have a Twitter supporting their campaign to keep the pool open.
The Save Carss Park Pool Action Group will hold a public meeting outside the pool on Saturday, January 19 at 3pm to discuss the future of the pool. Kogarah MP Chris Minns is expected to attend.
The draft Open Space, Recreation and Community Facilities Strategy is on public exhibition until March 1, 2019.
It can be viewed at the council’s customer service centres or at www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au