Community groundswell may be enough to keep the Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool open.
That’s the opinion of local resident, Richard Brownlow, who is forming a “save the pool” committee and is urging those who don’t want to see the pool dissolve to reach out and register their interest (details available at the Advertiser office).
The Bairnsdale community drove the idea of a 50-metre outdoor swimming pool for the town almost 60 years ago and it was completed with the help of a hard-working community fundraising committee and Ray Richards (dec) who dug the hole for the pool with his machinery.
The pool was opened in February 1969 with the council contributing approximately $140,000.
The Advertiser understands next Tuesday at the East Gippsland
Shire Council meeting councillors will vote on whether or not to close the pool.
The pool has had little or no upgrading of recent times to the point it has been deemed
an occupational health and safety hazard.
Now there is angst amongst the local community for not maintaining the pool to a standard or having a maintenance program, according to Mr Brownlow.
East Gippsland Shire chief executive officer, Fiona Weigall, recently said “a full investigation on the options is being developed and will be considered by council with a decision made well in advance of next summer”.
“The pool and supporting infrastructure (plant room etc) are at end-of-life and there are significant safety issues at the site – beyond year-on-year general maintenance – that must be considered,” she said.
If the pool does close the closest 50 metre pools are at Orbost or Sale.
Wellington Shire Council recently refurbished its outdoor pool in Sale. Sale has an estimated population of 15,000, similar to Bairnsdale’s 17,000.
Last year the shire spent $800,000 on the indoor pool and $200,000 on the outdoor pool.
This year, council’s budget has allocated $5.9 million for Orbost (outdoor), Lakes and Bairnsdale indoor pools.
East Gippsland Shire Council lose monies on many facilities it provides for the community such as libraries, the Raymond Island ferry and waste disposal facilities, but councils have a responsibility to provide services to the community for the benefit of those communities, according to Mr Brownlow.
Chairman of the East Gippsland Sports Foundation John Morton is disappointed with the prospect of the outdoor pool closing. He said local sporting facilities could be better supported by the shire as “sport in country towns is a community pillar of a local healthy society embracing all ages to live healthier and longer lives”.
Two young members of the East Gippsland Waterdragons, Swimming Club, Flo Marriott Smith and Sophie Brownlow, are also concerned about a potential closure and what it would mean for popular school swimming carnivals – a staple at the venue for decades.
“The closing of the pool would mean no more swimming carnivals and without a 50 metre pool there is no relief from the tight and stuffy indoor heated pool we have,” Flo said.
“It’s also difficult for young people to engage in swimming lessons, which is important because we are surrounded by the beautiful Gippsland Lakes. Closing the outdoor pool does not make much sense to us,” Sophie said.
A recent statewide news report highlighted Victorian councils’ dilemma: they are in charge of local pools where upgrades are needed or in some cases complete reconstruction of the ageing and often poorly maintained pools.
