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That’s one of the key underlying messages to emerge from the Bega Valley Shire Council-commissioned review of its six public swimming pools.
The consultants’ review identified that Eden Memorial Pool’s patronage was low and, probably of more concern, declining.
And with a median net cost to council of a hefty $125,332, and an average subsidy per visit of $17.28 (compared with $8.62 at the Bega War Memorial Pool and $3.98 at the Sapphire Aquatic Centre), Eden pool appears to be in hot water.
Public swimming pools are not what they were in decades past, a point well made by the BVSC’s manager leisure and recreation, John Grady.
A similar analogy could be made about zoos. Decades ago animals were housed in concrete pits; today that would be regarded as unacceptable, and now animals live on open range enclosures instead of cages.
Today’s pool patrons demand, among other things, life guards, shade sails and barbecue facilities, learn to swim classes and water aerobics, as well as extended operating hours to fit in with their ever-increasing busy lifestyles.
While the council must look at ways at cutting costs, safety is clearly not negotiable.
What was disturbing about the review was the lack of response from the public – not one person attended the Eden Pool Stakeholder Meeting.
Perhaps the meeting was poorly advertised. Perhaps people are simply apathetic.
Similarly, a survey of 21 of the shire’s schools, for example, failed to attract responses from Eden Marine High School and Eden Public School.
Pools are much-appreciated facilities, none more so than in small communities such as Bemboka, Candelo and Cobargo where people, especially youngsters, do not have easy access to the region’s beaches and opportunities for other forms of recreation and entertainment.
Eden, of course, is in a slightly different position with its residents and visitors having access to some of the most beautiful beaches on the Sapphire Coast, if not Australia.
As Mr Grady points out, pools are just one item on a long list of council assets vying for council coffers.
It is imperative that residents read the consultant’s review and respond to council…it’ll be no use whinging if it’s shut down.