Geelong Swimming Club (GSC) has said Council’s proposal to shut the Kardinia Aquatic Centre (KAC) for six months of the year will have a detrimental effect on the development of its athletes.
GSC’s national team of 15 young athletes gave a stellar performance at the Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast in April, resulting in six medals and six of its members being selected for Performance Pathway Programs.
However, the club said its swimmers’ aspirations may be “short-lived” now that the City’s 2023-24 draft budget proposed closing the pool for half of the year.
GSC head coach Aaron Tenabel said a shutdown during the winter season would leave GSC’s talented swimmers without a long course training facility.
“KAC is the only 50-metre facility that has been available year-round and has directly contributed to the success of our training program,” Mr Tenabel said.
“Competition swimming is supported by building cardiovascular capacity in the longer pool.KAC is a world-class, FINA accredited pool and we are fortunate to have it on our doorstep.
“Taking this facility out of circulation will put our athletes at a deficit to their metro counterparts, who have access to 50-metre pools 12 months of the year.”
Local resident and KAC pool user Sally Browne said the broader community was also “dismayed” to find out about the proposed half-yearly closure via posters pinned up at the centre.
“This is a return to the pre-COVID arrangement and a giant step backwards for the local community,” she said.
“Kardinia outdoor pool is the only 50-metre pool in the Geelong and Greater Bellarine district. (and has) ongoing popularity, with hundreds of people continuing to use the pool throughout the autumn-winter months at reduced hours.
“Further reduced hours or closure undermines access to basic public amenities which are of significant benefit to the communities physical and mental wellbeing.”
Director of community service delivery Robyn Stevens said the City had been forced to make many tough decisions in its draft budget.
“Faced with rapidly rising costs, we are making difficult budget decisions across all of our operations as we look to remain financially sustainable,” Ms Stevens said.
“Based on attendance numbers and the facility’s running costs, ratepayers are subsidising each swim at KAC during winter by $22.50.
“KAC operated as a seasonal facility until the COVID pandemic, when the Council allocated extra funding to open it during winter due to capacity restrictions at our indoor pools. The funding via this year’s proposed budget would see a return to the facility’s seasonal operating period.”
