Council to develop Swimming Pool Strategy in consultation with community
The Northern Midlands Council will work with the community to prepare a municipal-wide strategy to provide direction for the provision, planning, operating, and funding of swimming pool facilities in the region, it was announced today.
At its meeting on 29 June, Council formally adopted the 2020/2021 Budget, which includes funding to maintain its three municipal pools in Campbell Town, Cressy and Ross.
Mayor Mary Knowles OAM said the Swimming Pool Strategy will be developed in meaningful consultation with the local community.
"Council is committed to consulting and engaging with the community as an integral stage in the preparation of this strategy, which we hope will provide us clarity and direction around the municipal pools both now and into the future," Mayor Knowles said.
A petition received by Council on 25 June, and circulated at its June meeting, called for Council to support the Ross Pool to remain open and to consult meaningfully with the community on its future.
"Council has listened to the community and now seeks to determine and understand a way forward," Mayor Knowles said.
In the 2018-19 financial year, Council spent $34,563 on the Ross pool, including staff wages and depreciation costs. Council assumes responsibility for chlorination and general cleaning of the pool.
Council has stated previously that recruiting lifeguards to work at the Ross pool has always been difficult and that the number of people who use the swimming pool has dropped considerably in recent years.
Mayor Mary Knowles OAM on 0408 766 625