Leeming centre's 12-month layoff

by Glenn Roscoe

April 11, 2008

LEEMING residents are worried the yearlong renovation planned for their local recreation centre.

“A year is just too long to be expected to wait for a renovation,” regular gym jockey Karen Bartlett said, “ [but] I understand the need to refurbish, as many parts of the gymnasium are beginning to show their age,” regular gym jockey Karen Bartlett said. “The pool area and change rooms also definitely aren’t at the standard they should be.”

Ms Bartlett said she would not renew her all-but expired membership, and would instead be signing up at the privately-owned Zest Gym in Bibra Lake.

With work beginning mid-July, Melville council has decided a full closure of the ageing facility is needed to ensure the $8.1 million redevelopment can be carried out safely.

Local resident Lyn McCarthy also expressed concern, with her twice a week pilates class being transferred to a facility in nearby Melville.

“It really is a shame,” Ms McCarthy said. “It’s a much further distance to travel.

“Surely they could have closed specific areas of the centre and still allow access to others whilst work goes on.”

 Todd Cahoon from Melville Council said interim measures would work fine.