Cranbourne out of RACE

By Bridget Brady
THE contest to name Cranbourne East’s $37 million aquatic and leisure centre has been won, but the chosen title has not pleased all Cranbourne residents.
Casey resident Rebecca Bendix won the naming competition with her suggestion Casey RACE (Recreation and Aquatic Centre).
Ms Bendix has won a one-year membership at the centre, which opens mid next year.
But Cranbourne and District Residents Association president David Banner said he was disappointed Cranbourne was not part of the official name.
“I honestly believe, from a local perspective, that it would have been nice to have some reference to a Cranbourne icon or person of some kind,” Mr Banner said.
He said the word Casey was overused when it came to naming facilities in the municipality.
“Casey has been incorporated into so many names currently that it makes it very confusing.
“I have nothing against the name Casey but I certainly think it has been overused.”
The City of Casey invited residents to suggest names for the state-of-the-art facility, and about 300 entries were considered.
City of Casey chief executive Mike Tyler said Ms Bendix’s suggestion was fitting.
“It’s great news to finally have an official name for the facility that has already become well-known across Casey and Australia,” Mr Tyler said.
But Mr Banner said it was a further example of Cranbourne identities being overlooked and cited Casey Fields, also in Cranbourne East, as another one.
“I have nothing against that person (Lord Casey), but what connection has he had with Cranbourne? “I personally think it is a slight on the history that is Cranbourne not to identify someone who was around the area for as long a period of time.
“However we have been fighting for a facility like this for about 15 years and we are extremely pleased.”