MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker, Nepean MP Chris Brayne and shire project manager David Hampton inside the Yawaa aquatic centre, Rosebud, which is set to open in may after some COVID delays and cost overruns. Picture: Yanni

WATCHING the main 50-metre pool at the Yawa Aquatic Centre slowly being filled with water was a highlight for Nepean MP Chris Brayne as he toured the centre earlier this month.

Mr Brayne and Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker were shown over the $37 million complex in Besgrove Street by the shire’s project manager David Hampton.

The community hub is expected to attract about 400,000 visits a year to its gym, group fitness and learn-to-swim classes, cafe and wellness suites.

An aqua play area has three slides and a splash pad and a boom to allow the pool to be divided into two 25-metre sections.

The centre is now due to open in May.

Despite extra costs of about $150,000 blamed on delays caused by the COVID-19 emergency and “several other related contract variations, Mr Hampton has assured council that the increase “will not impact the council’s adopted project budget”.

Details of the cost blowout were being kept secret because they “relate to contract payment claims and contain commercial information which, if published, may prejudice consultant or contractor privacy”.

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 30 March 2021