Reba holds up centre opening

THE official opening of the Cabravale Leisure Centre has been delayed because Cabramatta MP Reba Meagher cannot make the planned date.

A Fairfield Council spokeswoman said it had postponed the July 28 ceremony because it wanted Ms Meagher, the NSW Health Minister, there as she was instrumental in helping the council get funding for the $13.25million centre.

Cr Thang Ngo said the centre was funded by a rate rise and paid for by the community and that it was ''disgraceful'' the community had to wait to celebrate the opening because of one person's full diary.

''The council set the official opening date months ago,'' he said.

''If the local member can't make it then it's just too bad. I don't see why we need to defer the opening because the local member isn't available.

''The community funded this leisure centre, not the pollies.''

A spokeswoman for Ms Meagher's office said the MP had been heavily involved with the project since its inception and that ''it was a bit rich to suggest that she was holding up the opening''.

''Other dates, where the MP is available, have been put forward, but not everyone is available,'' she said.

''It's hard to find a date to suit everyone; everyone is entitled to leave.''

The council confirmed that Ms Meagher's involvement included writing a letter of support to the Local Government Minister to ensure the special levy rate rise was approved.

In spite of the delay to the official opening, the health and fitness centre is open for public use and the council is accepting members.

Cr Ngo said many in the community did not know it was open and that the official opening was one way to generate publicity so the community knew the centre, paid for with their rates, was now open for their use.

The centre includes a gym and a 20-metre indoor pool.