The last splash- Cranbourne resident Joan Reid at the Cranbourne Indoor Pool last week before

By Bridget Brady
DESPITE campaigning hard for its construction, there were no tears for Joan Reid when the Cranbourne Indoor Pool closed on Saturday.
Mrs Reid, 90, was one of the Cranbourne residents who were instrumental in establishing the pool committee 30 years ago. The pool closed on Saturday to make way for Casey’s $37.9 million state-of-the-art aquatic centre Casey RACE, which was unveiled on the weekend.
The community raised about $126,000, one third of the cost, to build the much-needed indoor pool.
Reflecting on door knocking and other fundraising efforts all those years ago, Mrs Reid said it was a great community achievement.
“It really was a wonderful community effort on behalf of everybody,” Mrs Reid said.
“The Rotary Club worked as hard as they could raising money. I couldn’t put my finger on one person. It was a united community effort. But everyone was happy to help. That was the spirit in which it was done.”
Mrs Reid, who has lived in Cranbourne since 1948, used to get up at 6.30am every morning and swim 40 laps of the pool she worked so hard for.
But there was no need for sadness when it closed, she said.
“I think it (Casey RACE) is going to be a wonderful big new building with excellent facilities. I would say congratulations to everybody who had the foresight to set that up.”
Mrs Reid said she looked forward to seeing Casey RACE blossom.
“It’s a wonderful entertainment and health addition. I’m glad our youngsters have the facilities they need.”
Mayfield Ward councillor Amanda Stapledon said the indoor pool had served the community’s recreational and therapeutic needs very well.
“An incredible amount of time, effort and fundraising by Ray Perry, Joan Reid and the committee went into establishing the pool,” Cr Stapledon said.
“It would have been the only pool in the area in its time.
“I congratulate all present and past who showed true Cranbourne community spirit in achieving this wonderful facility.”
Mrs Reid said the committee did come across some opposition when advocating for the pool, but generally had the support of councillors and local MPs.
“It was a wonderful day when it opened.”