“Kilsyth doesn’t have a heart”: Locals push for a rebuild of the iconic Centenary Pool

A group of keen swimmers and community members remain hopeful they can convince Yarra Ranges Council to rebuild swimming pool facilities in the same place where the Kilsyth Centenary Pool once stood.

On Monday, the Eastern Melburnian spoke to the lead petitioner behind the Rebuild our Kilsyth Pool campaign, Janis Floyd. Floyd, alongside local supporters Chris Dowling and Nicole Crisp, believe the former pool’s demolition has impacted the local community. They’re hoping to generate enough support from locals, the new council and MPs to kickstart plans for a new community pool in Kilsyth.

Built in the 1970s and featuring its distinctive dome structure constructed in 1989, Yarra Ranges Council voted to close and demolish the original pool facilities in October 2023 due to its long-suffering infrastructure and high maintenance and potential repair costs, with the Hawthory Road land remaining as open space.

Last April, Yarra Ranges Council had endorsed its Aquatics and Leisure Strategy, which sets out the next 10 years of projects, improvements and works for aquatics facilities including a major integrated aquatic and leisure hub in Lilydale.

In a release, former mayor Sophie Todorov said a master plan for the Kiloran Park precinct would be completed to look at how the community wants to use the area.

Local community members presented a petition calling for council to consider rebuilding the pool, which featured more than 1000 signatures to the council last May.

However, no movement has been made on what the future holds for Kiloran Reserve.

Ms Floyd said the loss of the pool had been significant for the Kilsyth community.

“Kilsyth doesn’t have a heart,” she said. “The pool was what we had. It catered to all walks of life.”

The swimming pool provided services to a number of different groups, including the Lilydale Swim Club, baby swim classes and aqua aerobics classes to help those with arthritis and other joint issues.

Ms Floyd said Kilsyth did not need a state-of-the-art recreation hub, only a swimming pool which would require limited maintenance and provide services for many future generations to come.

“The opportunity for healthier lifestyles, social interaction and children learning to swim is lost,” she said. “We want a community pool. It can be a feather in (Yarra Ranges Council’s) cap.”

Fellow supporter Nicole Crisp said many people had to drive to pools in Monbulk or Yarra Junction, more than 30 minutes away from the former Kilsyth facilities.

“For people with mental health issues, they just can’t do that,” she said.

Ms Dowling said the current site was still ideal for a community pool.

“It’s ready to go,” she said.