REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Saturday, April 12, 1986

ANGRY swimmers vowed to fight to save Southport Memorial Swimming Pool amid claims the site could be converted into a tourist attraction, possibly by Dreamworld.

Ward Alderman Peter Webber confirmed the possibility of the site being developed had been discussed informally within the council.

He said it was possible that sale of the site could help pay for a major sporting complex to include an internationalstandard pool.

Southport pool lessee, former Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Robbie Nay said there was a “rank-and-file revolt” within the four swimming clubs who use the pool.

Dreamworld managing director Wes Hepburn, however, has poured cold water on suggestions they were eyeing the site. Mr Hepburn said that while the theme park currently had 20 offers of land for its planned expansion, the pool site was not on the list.

Southport Chamber of Commerce president Bert Pepper, who figured prominently in the community fundraising to help pay for the pool, said the chamber would fight “tooth and nail” against the moves to have developers take over the memorial pool land.

Mr Webber, when quizzed over concern expressed by swimmers, said he had spelt out clearly at a meeting with the Lands Administration Commission that any financial gains from the use of the land would have to go to the city or the idea would certainly be rejected by the council.

The site would eventually be redeveloped in 2013.