Public swimming pools stayed open a little longer a select locations in the Port Macquarie-Hastings.
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Kendall’s swim season was extended to April 24, thanks to funding by the Kendall Op Shop.
Wauchope will be open until May 17.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and local pool managers Swimwell agreed to keep the two facilities open beyond their scheduled closure on Monday April 17.
A statement on the Swimwell Kendall website says: “Thanks to the Kendall community Op shop our season has been extended until the 24th of April. We need everyone to come along and support the pools extended opening as all entry fees after the 17th go back to the Op shop.”
The council’s director of economic development, Liesa Davies, said the extension will help the council understand how the community may want to use the pools beyond the typical swimming season.
“Both pools are extremely popular facilities and the council is pleased to be able to provide an extended swimming season. With the recent upgrades to the Wauchope Pool, new electric heat pumps will provide a more inviting water temperature,” said council director Liesa Davies.
“The extended season will help us determine whether the extension is viable in the longer term.”
The Laurieton Swimming Pool closed for the season on Monday April 17, and the Port Macquarie Olympic Swimming Pool will close on Friday June 30.
“Extending the hours of two of our popular public pools underlines the council’s commitment to promoting a vibrant and active community, as part of the $5.6 million allocated to parks and recreation in the current financial year,” added Ms Davies.
“The four Port Macquarie-Hastings pools are subsidised as an important service the council provides for the community. The council recognises that extending the swimming season at Kendall and Wauchope will deliver a huge benefit for users, however, it does come at a cost.
“The Kendall Op Shop has been closely involved with the public pool there, raising funds to build and maintain it. The Op Shop committee approached the council about extending the season and has provided the funds to support this.
“The Wauchope pool is second only to Port Macquarie’s in terms of user numbers, with more users than the Laurieton and Kendall facilities combined.
“The recent $2.3 million Wauchope Pool upgrade included the installation of electric heat pumps that will facilitate warmer water temperatures at this time of year.
“This trial season extension will be funded by the council and will help gauge whether a longer swimming season is a viable option in future years.
“The Laurieton pool, just like Kendall, is operated with solar heat pumps, which are much less effective when air temperatures drop and daylight hours are shorter.
“There are no current plans to trial an extension of the swimming season at Council’s Laurieton facility.”
For further information on public pools in the Port Macquarie-Hastings visit pmhc.nsw.gov.au/pools or call the council on 6581 8111.