Pool users advised to dive in to discussions

POOL users across the Yarra Valley are being urged to make waves.
Keith Adams, Healesville Primary School’s sports teacher, wants more community participation in determining the future of the region’s pools.
He is concerned that a study assessing the long term development of aquatic centres, currently being undertaken by the shire, will result in pool closures.
Mr Adams attended a meeting in Healesville last week, organised by the study’s author, HM Leisure Planning, and said the wider community should be aware of the study’s scope.
“It was explained at the meeting that the council has to spend over $1 million a year maintaining its nine pools and that this is a major financial burden,” he said.
“I’m concerned that the outcome of the study will be to rationalise resources and close a number of pools.”
Mr Adams said he feared that the success of newer pools, like the Yarra Aquatic Centre in Yarra Junction, could see the life of older pools terminated.
“There was an indication at the meeting that pools in places like Seville and Warburton, and even the outdoor pool in Healesville, face an uncertain future,” he said.
“I think there should be opportunities for the general public to contribute to the discussion and give their opinion before any decisions are made.”
James Martin, the shire’s manager of community relations, said there would be no pool closures without further community consultation.
“This is just a preliminary examination of the shire’s facilities, looking at our overall aquatic strategy,” he said. “The study is starting discussions with large and key user groups, such as schools, to help identify information about the current state and use of pools.
Mr Martin said the study into the long term development and management of the shire’s pools would continue into next year.