Pool gets clean bill of health

By Bridget Brady
CASEY Council says it is satisfied with the cleanliness of Casey RACE, despite a resident’s claim it is dirty.
The entire $37.9 million aquatic and leisure centre is cleaned every night, Casey’s director of planning and development services Peter Fitchett said.
“The centre is also regularly inspected by duty managers and staff on-site so they can address any issues as they may arise,” Mr Fitchett said.
But Blind Bight resident Megan Evans said Casey RACE was “very dirty”.
Ms Evans has taken her three children to the centre in Cranbourne since it opened.
“I’ve been told upstairs is very clean, but downstairs since day one it’s just dirty,” she said. The change rooms were a problem area, Ms Evans said.
But Mr Fitchett said the change room area could appear messy because rushes of people come and go.
“On occasion, when a cleaner has finished cleaning a particular area such as a change room, the same area may experience a high number of guests using that area only a short time later which could give the impression to other users that the area has not been cleaned for some time,” Mr Fitchett said.
The design of the facility also meant it was difficult for parents to supervise their children who played in the pool where the tipping bucket was located, Ms Evans said.
Some parents sit on the floor so they can watch their children swim, Ms Evans said.
“Kids are meant to be in arm’s reach, but there is just no where practical where you can sit and watch them,” she said.
Currently, some permanent seats on the pool deck are unable to be used because of floor repair works. But the council said all of the seating would be available once the works were completed.
“Council and the YMCA’s priority is to ensure the safety of the patrons at the Casey RACE, therefore it is necessary to cordon off some sections of the seating while the repair works are undertaken.
“Additional seating is being opened to the public as the floor works are rectified and the YMCA is endeavouring to provide as much temporary seating as possible around the pool deck without blocking safe access around the concourse,” Mr Fitchett said.