RESIDENTS who fought to save the Sunshine Pool have warned the council to keep its hands off the rest of the site.

Former pool campaigners closed ranks around the Sunshine Leisure Centre last month amid fears for the future of vacant land at the site.

Residents have been lobbying for the leisure centre to be transformed into a youth hub, a one-stop destination for teenagers to socialise and participate in programs and activities.

The Sunshine community previously battled with the council and State Government in a bid to save the outdoor pool, which had been earmarked for demolition.

In 2008, residents claimed a major victory when a new $4.6 million outdoor pool was opened at the leisure centre after years of campaigning.

But controversy surrounding the site was reignited last month amid claims the council planned to renege on a promise to build youth facilities at the site.

Residents attending a local area forum on 23 March were horrified when the council revealed plans to create a walking path linking the leisure centre to Hampshire Rd.

The path appeared to cut through vacant land at the leisure centre which had previously been earmarked for youth facilities.

The plans also included a proposal to create extra car spaces, which would also cut into the leisure centre land.

Residents were outraged by the proposal and vowed to fight to keep the land for Brimbank’s youth.

Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association member Sean Spencer said residents had been promised the land and now feared their hopes for a youth precinct would be dashed.

Mr Spencer said the site would be perfect for beach volleyball, basketball courts or other recreation facilities.

Lyndon Webb, the council’s General Manager of Infrastructure and Environment denied that the council had designs on the land.

Mr Webb said extending the walkway to Kennedy St had been an option but insisted that the proposed path would terminate outside of the leisure centre.