Tag: aquatic centre

Public meeting with the Ringwood Pool Action Group

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The Ringwood Pool Action Group was formed this year amid concerns in regard to the future of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre.

The facilities at Ringwood Aquatic Centre are ageing and faces escalating maintenance costs and declining patronage. In addition, the Centre lacks the wellbeing and gym facilities that compliment the aquatic activities.

Council’s plan for a regional level facility has been scaled back due to a lack of commitment from the State and Federal Governments and is therefore pursuing a district level facility.

While the final configuration of the Centre is yet to be determined, Council is committed to the future of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre and the Ringwood Pool Action Group will serve as an important conduit with the community as Council discusses options for the Ringwood Aquatic Centre.

Media Release: Proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure on display at Maroondah Festival

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Maroondah City Council Mayor Councillor Alex Makin congratulates the 14 Ringwood Diving Club members who have qualified for the National Competition next year.

“It is a fantastic effort from our local club to have so many divers representing the state at such an elite level,” Cr Makin said.

“The news of the club’s success timed in perfectly with Council’s proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure facility information expo at Ringwood Aquatic Centre on Saturday October 23,” Cr Makin said.

“The expo gave the community a chance to find out more about the proposed facility which includes the state diving centre. The proposed state diving centre would provide Ringwood Diving Club and other diving clubs with a state of the art training facility,” Cr Makin said.

“The proposal has been strongly supported by Diving Australia, Diving Victoria and Ringwood Diving Club. If we can secure state and/or federal government funding, the facility would include unique dry driving training facilities and a FINA standard 10 metre diving tower and pool,” Cr Makin said.

“The recent success of former Ringwood Diving Club members at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games level proves that we have the talent to compete on the world stage,” Cr Makin said.

“A facility like the proposed state diving centre would offer these athletes a chance to train in a world class venue, perfecting their skills and putting them in a better position to compete at an international level,” Cr Makin said.

Council is hosting another proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure facility information expo at Maroondah Festival on November 7.

Members of the Ringwood Diving Club will provide an interactive display as part of the festival with divers performing on the portable springboard, mini trampolines, and kinder dive activities.

The expo will also highlight the types of exciting aquatic and leisure activities the new Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure facility would provide for families and individuals,” Cr Makin said.

“There will be a variety of information, images and concept plans on display and an opportunity for people to provide feedback on their thoughts of the proposed facility,” Cr Makin said.

“For those who want to discuss the proposal further there will be leisure experts, representatives from aquatic clubs and council staff on hand to answer all of your questions,” Cr Makin said.

The proposed facility is accessible for all, and includes warm water pool; dedicated learn to swim pool; 50 metre pool; and extensive water play and large indoor water slides. It is also proposed to include an extensive gymnasium with multipurpose exercise rooms and a wellness centre.

“With all of this under the one roof the proposed facility will offer exciting aquatic and leisure activities for everyone,” Cr Makin said.

What: Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure information expo
When: Sunday November 7
Where: Maroondah Festival, Town Park, Croydon
When: 10am to 5pm

– ENDS –

10th Anniversary of the Swimming Bus Program

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The Maroondah Swimming Bus provides transport for frail aged older adults to access Ringwood Aquatic Centre on a weekly basis each Monday. The program is provided by volunteer drivers who provide their time to deliver the members to and from the Ringwood Aquatic Centre.

The service has delivered not only improved health and wellbeing but social interaction and inclusion through the forming of friendships and support. This afternoon volunteers and participants celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the swimming bus program

The speech I delivered during the celebrations is available within this entry:

Good afternoon and welcome to the 10th anniversary of the Swimming Bus Program. I would like to welcome Cr Ann Fraser, as well as welcome past and present participants, volunteer drivers and aerobics instructors of the program from the past 10 years.

I’m very pleased to be here at the 10th anniversary of the swimming bus program which began on 9 October 2000. There has been approximately 43 residents participating in the program over the past 10 years.

Over 15 volunteer drivers have given their time enabling a large number of otherwise house bound older adults to access the Ringwood Aquatic Centre on a weekly basis for the Monday Swimming Program. This free service has played a vital role in both maintaining and improving health and providing an opportunity for socialisation. Many valuable long term friendships have been formed on these bus trips which has provided another support mechanism for these otherwise isolated residents.

Congratulations to everyone who has been involved in this program over the 10 years including the volunteers who provide the transport services, your dedication has improved the lives of many older Maroondah residents.

Media Release: Divers congratulated on medal tally at Commonwealth Games

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Maroondah City Council Mayor Councillor Alex Makin has congratulated former Ringwood divers Grant Nel, Anabelle Smith and Jaele Patrick for their outstanding performances at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

“In the weeks before they left for Delhi I had the opportunity to meet all three divers at the Ringwood Aquatic Centre, where they started their careers as members of the Ringwood Diving Club,” Cr Makin said.

“It was fantastic to see the divers competing on the world stage and I congratulate them on their performances,” Cr Makin said.

Jaele Patrick won two bronze medals, one in the Women’s 3m Springboard and the other in the Women’s 3m Synchronized Spring Board. She also finished fourth in the Women’s 1m Springboard.

Grant Nel won a bronze medal in the Men’s 3m Spring board event and Annabelle Smith won a bronze medal in the Women’s Synchronized 10m Platform and finished fourth in the Women’s 3m Springboard.

“These divers are the latest champions who have emerged from the Ringwood Diving Club over the years, following in the footsteps of Olympic gold medallist Chantelle Newbury,” Cr Makin said.

“In speaking with the divers and the Club in relation to the proposed Maroondah Aquatic Centre, they have highlighted the benefits which would come with the proposed dry diving training facility and the FINA standard 10 metre diving tower and pool,” Cr Makin said.

“These aspects of the proposal are still subject to significant state and federal Government funding, but with state-of-the-art facilities like these on offer we could see more and more Victorian based divers competing at an international level,” Cr Makin said.

“In the past few months Council has hosted several community expos giving people an opportunity for to see how the proposed new facility would provide exciting aquatic and leisure activities for them and their family,” Cr Makin said.

“The next community expo will be held at Maroondah Festival on November 7. The expo will feature a variety of information, images and concept plans as well as providing an opportunity for people to provide feedback on their thoughts on the proposed facility,” Cr Makin said.

“For those who want to discuss the proposal further there will be leisure experts, representatives from aquatic clubs and council staff on hand to answer all of your questions,” Cr Makin said.

“The proposed facility is accessible for all, and includes warm water pool; dedicated learn to swim pool; 50 metre pool; and extensive water play and large indoor water slides. It is also proposed to include an extensive gymnasium with multi-purpose exercise rooms and a wellness centre,” Cr Makin said.

What: Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure information expo
When: Sunday November 7
Where: Maroondah Festival, Town Park, Croydon
When: 10am to 5pm

– ENDS –

Media Release: Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure community expo

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Maroondah City Council is hosting an information expo at Ringwood Aquatic Centre on Saturday October 23 to give the community a chance to find out more about the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure facility.

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin said Council had received positive feedback from the previous two expos which have been held at Eastland.

“We decided to host another expo to give current users an opportunity to find out more about the proposal and what types of exciting aquatic and leisure activities the new centre would provide for them and their family,” Cr Makin said.

“There will be a variety of information, images and concept plans on display and an opportunity for people to provide feedback on their thoughts of the proposed facility,” Cr Makin said.

“For those who want to discuss the proposal further there will be leisure experts, representatives from aquatic clubs and council staff on hand to answer all of your questions,” Cr Makin said.

“The proposed facility is accessible for all, and includes warm water pool; dedicated learn to swim pool; 50 metre pool; and extensive water play and large indoor water slides. It is also proposed to include an extensive gymnasium with multi-purpose exercise rooms and a wellness centre,” Cr Makin said.

“With all of this under the one roof the proposed facility will offer exciting aquatic and leisure activities for everyone,” Cr Makin said.

“The expo will also highlight the proposed state diving centre which is strongly supported by Diving Australia, Diving Victoria and Ringwood Diving Club. If we can secure state and/or federal government funding, the facility would also include unique dry driving training facilities and a FINA standard 10 metre diving tower and pool,” Cr Makin said.

“The expo is a valuable opportunity for the public to chat to the experts; meet representatives from swimming, diving and other aquatic sports; and provide feedback on the proposed facility,” Cr Makin said.

A community information stall will also be available at the Maroondah Festival on November 7.

What: Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure information expo
When: Saturday October 23
Where: Ringwood Aquatic Centre, Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood.
When: 10am to noon

– ENDS –

Media Release: Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure community expo

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The Maroondah community is invited to an information expo at Eastland on Wednesday October 15 to hear more about the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure facility.

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Alex Makin said following the success of the first expo at Eastland in August Council would be hosting more throughout the municipality.

“The expos are an opportunity for people to see how the proposed new facility could provide exciting aquatic and leisure activities for them and their family,” Cr Makin said.

“There will be a variety of information, images and concept plans on display and and there will be an opportunity for people to provide feedback on their thoughts of the proposed facility,” Cr Makin said.

“For those who want to discuss the proposal further there will be leisure experts, representatives from Ringwood Diving Club, Ringwood Swimming Club, Ringwood Triathlon Club and council staff on hand to answer all of your questions,” Cr Makin said.

“The proposed facility is accessible for all, and includes warm water pool; dedicated learn to swim pool; 50 metre pool; and extensive water play and large indoor water slides. It is also proposed to include an extensive gymnasium with multipurpose exercise rooms and a wellness centre,” Cr Makin said.

“With all of this under the one roof the proposed facility will offer exciting aquatic and leisure activities for everyone,” Cr Makin said.

“The expo will also highlight the proposed state diving centre which is strongly supported by Diving Australia, Diving Victoria and Ringwood Diving Club. If we can secure state or federal government funding, the facility would also include unique dry driving training facilities and a FINA standard 10 metre diving tower and pool,” Cr Makin said.

“The expo at Eastland is a valuable opportunity for the public to chat to the experts; meet representatives from swimming, diving and other aquatic sports; and provide feedback on the proposed facility,” Cr Makin said.

Two more Community expos have also been organised; from 10am to noon, October 23 at Ringwood Aquatic Centre and on November 7 during Maroondah Festival.

What: Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure information expo
When: Wednesday October 15
Where: Eastland Shopping Centre main stage area
When: 1pm to 8pm

– ENDS –

Ringwood Diving Club – 2010 Annual General Meeting

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The Ringwood Diving Club is based at Ringwood Aquatic Centre in Jubilee Park, Ringwood and has over 100 members. The Club has a strong history within diving, including having four members who will be competing at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Today’s annual general meeting provided an opportunity to elect committee members for the upcoming year and to present trophies to competition winners. In addition I spoke about the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre, which would provide new facilities for the community including vastly improved diving capabilities, as well as wellness and gym components which are currently lacking at the existing Ringwood Aquatic Centre.

The Ringwood Diving Club has undertaken extensive planning for the future, including expanding its coaching capacity, providing coaching for people with hearing impairments and forming alliances with the Whitehorse Diving Club. For further details please visit www.ringwooddivingclub.com.au

Media Release: Community expo on Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure proposal a success

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At least two more information expos on the proposed Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure facility are planned following the success of the Eastland expo on August 26.

Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said the expo gave the community a chance to see how the proposed facility would provide exciting aquatic and leisure activities for all members of the Maroondah community.

“It was great to see so many people taking advantage of the expo and spend the time to look at the range of information, images and concept plans which were on display. For those who wanted to discuss the proposal further we had leisure experts, representatives from Ringwood Diving Club, Ringwood Swimming Club, Ringwood Triathlon Club and council staff on hand to answer all of their questions,” Cr Makin said.

“We had people from all ages and interests come and discuss the proposal with us. The majority were supportive of the proposed project and were keen to hear about the planned aspects of the project particularly the water play areas, water slides and the various programs which would be on offer,” Cr Makin said.

“Of course not everyone was supportive of the proposal, however after discussing their concerns most people realised that the extensive range of facilities and proposed programs would be of benefit to either themselves or their families,” Cr Makin said.

“One of the best things about the proposal is that it caters for everyone from young children to our seniors, and it will be fully accessible for all,” Cr Makin said.

“The proposal includes a warm water pool; dedicated learn to swim pool; 50 metre pool; an extensive water play area and large indoor water slides, an extensive gymnasium with multi-purpose exercise rooms and a wellness centre,” Cr Makin said.

“Representatives from Ringwood Diving Club were on hand at the expo to discuss the benefits of a state diving centre which is proposed for the venue,” Cr Makin said.

“The club already has a long history of divers who have represented Australia at an Olympic and Commonwealth games level, including gold medallist Chantelle Newbury, and they are well aware of the benefits that would come with the proposed dry driving training facilities and the FINA standard 10 metre diving tower and pool. These aspects of the proposal are still subject to significant State and Federal Government funding,” Cr Makin said.


Council is planning further community expos at Eastland and the Ringwood Aquatic Centre and will have a stall set up at the Maroondah Festival which is on Sunday November 7. At All three events the public will have an opportunity to chat to the experts; meet representatives from swimming, diving and other aquatic sports; and provide feedback on the proposed facility.

– ENDS –

Launching Maximising your Strength at the Croydon Leisure and Aquatic Centre

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The Maximising your Strength program is a new physical activity group within the Croydon Leisure and Aquatic Centre, which provides strength based training for people with neurological conditions like Multiple Sclerosis.

This morning I was invited to launch the Maximising Your Strength program, which includes two separate streams; one for people of all ages and one designed specifically for younger people, known as Striving for Maximum Strength.

The program, which is the first time it has been available east of Blackburn, is a partnership between Maroondah City Council and MS Australia and incorporates strength training exercises. Training is conducted by a qualified fitness instructor, who has received training from MS Australia Physiotherapist and Exercise Physiologist.

Maximising Your Strength aims to increase the wellbeing, strength and endurance of participants who experience neurological conditions, for further information please visit www.maroondahleisure.com.au/venues/croydon-leisure-centre.

Please continue reading this entry for the speech that was delivered at the launch of this program.

Continue reading “Launching Maximising your Strength at the Croydon Leisure and Aquatic Centre”

Maroondah Aquatic and Leisure Centre Information Expo

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While the existing Ringwood Aquatic Centre, located in Greenwood Avenue Ringwood, was converted to an indoor facilities in the mid 1980s, the indoor 50 metre pool and associated infrastructure is approximately 40 years of age and nearing the end of its useful life.

In addition, the Aquatic Centre, due to its age is delivering an increasing loss to Council making it a burden on ratepayers. The Centre lacks gym and fitness facilities that complement modern aquatic centres and has consequently seen declining patronage, in sharp contrast to neighbouring facilities.

Maroondah City Council included detailed design work to consider a replacement of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre, through a modern facility that would expand the unique diving and swimming elements of the facility, as well as including gym, fitness and creche components.

This afternoon Council held an information expo at Eastland to discuss the project with the wider community and to gather community feedback on the proposed designs. Over 200 people attended the session with many discussing the need for the new Centre and the possibilities it provides for Maroondah and Ringwood.

Council has a clear commitment to deliver community infrastructure and it is clear that the community appreciates the need to replace the existing facility, with one that will meet the needs of Maroondah over the next 40 years and beyond.

Council will be holding further information expos, including one at the existing Centre and at the Maroondah Festival.