General News
1 November, 2023
Upcoming pool season to make a splash
MOYNE Shire’s Council has announced its three pools will open for a shorter 15-week summer season from next month.
MOYNE Shire’s Council has announced its three pools will open for a shorter 15-week summer season from next month.
Forecasts are suggesting a warmer summer, which was expected to see shire-owned pools at Mortlake, Macarthur and Hawkesdale proving to be popular spots to cool off.
Volunteer community committees will again manage the Macarthur and Hawkesdale pools, while YMCA Victoria has been awarded a two-year contract extension to manage the Mortlake pool.
Under the new arrangement with YMCA, the Mortlake pool will open for the season on Friday, December 1 and close on March 17, 2024.
It was also announced the new season would be two weeks shorter than in previous years, with timings changed to reflect the periods of peak use based on usage data of the past few seasons.
Moyne Shire mayor Cr Ian Smith said a significant increase in contract costs meant there had to be a review.
“We’ve looked at the data and in the later half of last season, in March and April for the past two years less than 10 people on average visited the pool each day,” he said.
“By taking this approach we are able to ensure ongoing operation of the pool with minimal impact during peak periods.”
Cr Smith said the Mortlake Pool had recorded 4163 visits across the 2022/23 season.
“That means each pool entry equates to $47.60 - which is obviously much higher than the entry price,” he said.
“We understand that pools are important community facilities, so by shortening the season, we have been able to make costs manageable and ensure the pool is open when our data tells us most people want to attend.”
Cr Smith said popular early morning sessions would remain unchanged from the past season and will remain available across the 15-week season from 6am-8.30am Monday, Wednesday and Friday from December 4 to December 20 and January 3 to March 15.
The pool will be open from 3.30pm to 7pm during school terms and from 1.30pm to 7pm on weekends.
During school holidays the pool will open from 1.30pm to 7pm, including weekends and public holidays.
Early morning swimming will remain from 6am to 8.30am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.