http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/curtain-is-certain-at-clayton/
CLAYTON Community Centre will have a controversial $45,000 modesty curtain installed around its pool after Monash councillors approved the 2011/12 Budget.
The curtain installation has been subject to much speculation since it was deemed necessary to accommodate women-only swimming at the pool.
The Leader readers both welcomed and condemned the suggestion to construct a curtain to shield the weekly sessions, petitioned for by a group of fewer than 50 women.
Out of 19 official submissions to the Budget, 15 were against the curtain.
Oakleigh Ward councillor Denise McGill, who was the only councillor to vote against the Budget, said she disagreed with granting money for the curtain. “I just felt that, in line with all the budget (requests) in Monash, that it was not the highest priority,” Cr McGill said.
She pointed to special types of swimwear that would provide the same level of modesty, for religious reasons, as the curtain.
“I thought the money could have been allocated better in the community,” she said.
Oakleigh-based migrant centre New Hope Foundation authored the petition and director Ross Buscemi said he was pleased the curtain had been approved.
“My position has always been around the issue of privacy,” Mr Buscemi said.
“Unfortunately certain segments in the community and press turned it into a race and religion issue.
“That pool was badly designed from day one. The curtain will benefit the entire community.”
Swimming sessions are expected to begin after the curtain is installed.
