Consultation is yet to start on what happens to the Dunn and Bickle land after the Mountain Pool is decommissioned, with the Mt Barker Council employing consultants to lead the engagement process.
At a council meeting in May last year, councillors supported a motion by Cr Samantha Jones to ask residents what they wanted to see done with the land following the Mountain Pool’s decommissioning, with a report to come back to the council in the next six months.
However a council spokesperson said consultation on the land would be undertaken by a team as part of a master plan “to avoid engagement fatigue and confusion if there are multiple engagements on different projects occurring in the same geographic area”.
“Council are currently undertaking procurement process for a consultant team to assist with the project,” they said.
“Procurement is expected to be completed in the coming weeks at which point a more accurate timeline for progressing the project can be reported.”
The Mountain Pool will be succeeded by the Summit Aquatic and Leisure Centre (SALC) which will be operated by Belgravia Leisure in partnership with the council.
The SALC will feature a 25-metre competition pool with 10 lanes, learn to swim, shallow entry and warm water therapy pools plus a gym, creche, cafe, toilets and change rooms.
As construction ramps up for Stage 1 of the SALC, residents will have the opportunity to bid the Mountain Pool farewell as part of a community weekend.
The pool will be open 11am–6pm, on Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30, with residents encouraged to enjoy a swim or picnic.
The Mountain Pool was built in 1957 on land granted to the council by John Dunn and Leonard Bickle in the late 1800s, with a deed to control its future use.
That deed requires the land, which includes Dunn Oval and a caravan park, be used for recreation and for the benefit of residents of the district.
The council estimates that Stage 1 of the SALC will be completed by mid-to-late 2025.
