A family fun day was held on Sunday, January 24, to mark the reopening of the pool, with visitors enjoying inflatable water slides, diving and synchronised swimming performances, as well as live music.

Speaking at the reopening, Monash Mayor Charlotte Baines said that, while the pool opened in 1958, it was at least 100 years ago that plans were first made to build a pool at the site.

In November 1953, the plan gained momentum when two young boys asked their local MP to support their petition for a swimming pool in Oakleigh, she said.

"It became known as the 'kids' campaign'. A group of 16 teenagers led the fund-raising that raised the first 5000 pounds for their swimming pool and inspired the whole community to show the same spirit in caring for the future recreation of generations to come.

"More than 50 years later, we stand here today among a community who has honoured the fighting spirit of those young boys and girls.

"Over the past four years, this community, has convinced both current and former Monash councillors that this much-loved iconic landmark is worth preserving and improving for many more generations."

The $9.2million redevelopment of the Oakleigh Recreation Centre included the construction of water and spa areas, new change rooms, the refurbishment of the diving and 50-metre pools, a kiosk, cafe, landscaped parkland and improved accessibility.

A $780,000 refurbishment and upgrade of the basketball stadium, damaged by a storm in December 2007, was also completed in time for the pool opening.Kirsten Leiminger