MEDIA RELEASE - 19 January
We have experienced some well publicised issues in delivering a consistent service to our Outdoor pool users this summer.
Maintaining adequate staff levels remains an issue at a number of pools, despite a big focus mid-year on our lifeguard recruitment. We’ve undertaken further recruitment in recent weeks to try and address this shortage for the remainder of the season, however it remains an ongoing issue.
Equipment at each of the pools is ageing. We are experiencing failures of pumps at a number of pools which affects the chemical and chlorine levels. Manual dosing of these chemicals is unreliable and pools with unsafe chlorine levels are hazardous to the health of pool users.
Significant investment is needed to bring all six pools up to an acceptable standard and this will be a discussion with Councillors and the community in the near future.
Our staff are working tirelessly to monitor and mitigate issues with the pools and provide our residents with a reliable service, however some problems this year have been unavoidable.
We acknowledge that we cannot guarantee the outdoor pool service at this time, and that many residents have been left disappointed on more than one occasion this summer when pools have had to remain closed. We are also looking to improve our notifications particularly via social media on the availability or otherwise of our pools.
With this in mind, we would like to offer all of those people who have purchased a season pass for outdoor pools, a refund of the purchase price. People wishing to take advantage of this refund should fill out the form found on our swimming pools page or contact HILAC reception 5551 4300 to obtain a copy. Forms will need to be completed and returned prior to 10 February 2017.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Council’s Acting Manager Community and Leisure Services on 03 5551 4365 .
We appreciate the patience and understanding of the community as we continue to manage and work to resolve this situation.
Michael Tudball - Chief Executive Officer, Southern Grampians Shire Council.