Pool report makes waves

By Melissa Donchi
OUTDOOR pools in the Upper Yarra are not worth saving according to a controversial new report commissioned by the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
The 2007 Aquatic Facilities Strategic Review delivered to councillors at a meeting on Tuesday last week advised against replacing the pools estimated at costing the council millions of dollars.
The pools were reported to be not viable in their present form because of the falling number of users because of their poor condition.
The Seville Pool is estimated to cost $2.5 million to replace while the Warburton Outdoor Pool would cost $4.5 million.
The report stated that the costs were difficult to justify given the markets served, catchment population and other competing facilities.
The report revealed that while swimming continues to be a popular recreational activity, aquatic facilities are competing with health and fitness or ‘dry’ activities venues such as the gym facilities Yarra Centre in Yarra Junction.
“Since the opening of the Yarra Centre pool at Yarra Junction in 2001, the Warburton Pool has declined in visitation by 50 per cent and the Seville Pool has declined by 67 per cent,” the report stated.
So far the plan has been met with some concern from the community with fears that the local pools could be targeted for demolition and inappropriate development.
The most ardent opposition has come from the Seville Township Pool Committee which described the program as ‘at best flawed and at worse incorrect’.
“We’re extremely disappointed about the decision,” secretary Graeme Johnson said.
“This is not about numbers through the gate but about the social fabric of our community which they seem to have lost sight of.”
But Shire spokesman James Martin said there had been no decision to close any pools.
“Any decision about the future of our outdoor pools will be subject to extensive community involvement,” Mr Martin said.
“The strategy will guide the long-term development of pools in the shire. The council wants to ensure its aquatic facilities meet the community’s needs well into the future and, most importantly, that people use them.
“We know that people are less inclined to use outdoor pools. This is highlighted through falling attendance figures.
“Generally people choose to attend indoor pools and want a mix of wet and dry activities such as pools with gymnasiums.
“Where we have outdoor pools we have made a commitment to engage with those communities on what they would like to see happen.
“If there is a preference for alternatives to an outdoor pool that is only open for three months of the year, we need to look at it.
Mr Martin said the aquatics strategy would play a key role in supporting the council in making funding applications through the State Government’s Better Pools program.
“It will also help us identify priorities for expenditure,” he said.