Don Tatnell Leisure Centre (Parkdale)
Don Tatnell Leisure Centre has permanently closed due to major structural issues.
A press release from 25 February 2020 is below:
The Don Tatnell Leisure Centre has been closed after serious structural issues were found at the site, making it unsafe for use.
Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley said Council was saddened to close the centre, which has served the community for more than 40 years, and it would now plan a new aquatic and leisure facility to serve the community.
"Recently Council detected issues at the centre during maintenance works on pipework buried deep under the pool. We temporarily closed the centre hoping that repair works could see the facility re-opened. Sadly, during the works we discovered major structural issues caused by water leaks over time that have left the foundations on very unstable ground," Cr Oxley said.
Emergency works are underway to stabilise the building to ensure community safety, however it cannot reopen without major costs.
"Council is saddened to close the centre, which has served the local community very well over the past 40+ years, however we believe the best use of ratepayer funds is to focus on investing in a new facility that will meet the current and future needs of our community.
"Council was facing $9 million in costs and a 10-month closure simply to return the ageing building to a useable state, without any improvement in services to the community. Instead we will focus on developing a new, modern centre that meets the current and future needs of our community."
Council has kept regular users informed during the works and is now contacting them about the closure and options to transfer them to Waves Leisure Centre (Council's main aquatic facility) or alternative providers.
"We will also be working with any regular users who need help travelling to Waves to make sure they can still use Council's pool and gym," Cr Oxley said.
Councillors have called for a priority report into options for a new leisure and aquatic centre to explore:
- the range of services to offer at the facility
- potential locations, including the option to rebuild at the current site
- funding required to build the new centre.
The community will be consulted on plans for the new centre in coming months.
Location
Cnr Warren Rd and Brisbane Terrace, Parkdale 3195 Map
Web Links
→ Don Tatnell Leisure Centre on Facebook
