Veterans want pool to be war memorial

Three veterans associations are calling for the new Peninsula Regional Leisure Centre to be named to reflect its previous war memorial status.

Mr Geoff Turner, former Woy Woy swimming club treasurer, said it was important to include either "war memorial" or "memorial" in the name.

Mr Turner said he was totally disgusted with the way that council had handled the renaming so far.

Mr Turner said currently three petitions had been sent to council, with over 300 signatures, not in favour of the name change.

"The Veterans Association is very cranky at the council's response to our requests," Mr Turner said.

"They desecrated the memorial, with no consultation from anybody".

"Council made up their own mind what they were going to call it."

So far, council has recognised two petitions from the World War II Central Coast Branch of the Veterans Association.

The two petitions, with a total of 251 signatures, ask that council give the "utmost consideration to the inclusion of the words War Memorial in the naming of the Peninsula Regional Leisure Centre."

The petition stated that the previous centre, known as the Woy Woy Memorial Pool, had its foundation stone laid by Sir Roden Cutler VC and was opened by Sir John Gorton, the then Prime Minister of Australia.

The petition stated that the pool was dedicated to the memory of those from the Peninsula who had made the "supreme sacrifice" during World War II.

Mr Turner said that council has also been sent petitions by the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association and the Central Coast Sub Branch of the Naval Association of Australia.

Mr Turner said that council had stated it was going to include war memorial memorabilia in the foyer.

"It's not good enough," Mr Turner said.

"We want the memorial name outside for all the world to see."

Mr Turner and his wife have been active life members of the swimming club since 1968, when the pool first opened, and are also life members of the Central Coast Swimming Association.

Lyle Stone, July 21 Council agenda P.60, July 26