Work began in October on the $9.21million redevelopment, which includes a refurbished outdoor heated pool, dive pool, outdoor spa, new shallow leisure pool, change rooms, canteen facility and a water conservation system.

Monash Council chief executive David Conran said the bike path, designed to connect Scotchmans Creek to the pool and to Brickmakers Park, was originally on the south side of the pool but had to be diverted when the recreation centre was constructed.

"The new bike path network is designed to take up minimal space and will not require the Oakleigh pool to be redesigned. The pool sizes will not be altered."

The council proposes that passive recreation pursuits will centre around the family facilities of Brickmakers Park and

has undertaken extensive improvement works in the park, he said.

Oakleigh resident Matthew Billman, a Greens-endorsed candidate in last month's council elections, said he hoped the path wouldn't take up too much space on the pool site.

"The whole attraction is for families to sit on that part of the land. We need to keep as much land as we can for families to enjoy and relax."