Pool committee just keep swimming

FOLLOWING an announcement that Bendigo East Swimming Pool would close this winter, a new working group has been established to find a way to keep it open.

In the 2023 Community Aquatic Facilities Strategy issued by the City of Greater Bendigo (CoGB), notice was given that the pool would operate year-round until upgrades are completed at Brennan Park Swimming pool.

The February 13 decision to transition Bendigo East Swimming Pool to a seasonal-only facility earlier than expected is, according to Manager of Active and Healthy Communities Amy Johnston, due to rising utility costs.

“This decision was made as rising utility costs meant it was no longer affordable for the Bendigo East Swimming Pool Committee of Management to operate a gas-heated, outdoor pool year-round,” Ms Johnston said.

The CoGB currently provides the Bendigo East Swimming Pool Committee of Management with $167,000 to assist with running costs.

Damian Hughes, a member of the new working group, said a number of circumstances in recent years had led to running costs to be underestimated, including a faulty gas meter found to be reading under the actual usage of the facility.

“The pool was running on a comfortable budget pre-COVID,” he said.

“What was originally an acceptable budget, East Bendigo has had to go back to council multiple times and ask for money.”

Mr Hughes said the new working group has been established with the aim of finding solutions to reduce costs and generate sustainable income for the facility, and they’ve already presented a report to the city.

“The pool has a genuine income but like any community space it requires council support,” Mr Hughes said. “The pool working group are looking for clear ways to make this a viable business. It will always need council support like all the other pools, but something that’s more sustainable.

According to Ms Johnston, the CoGB will continue to provide the same annual funds to Bendigo East Swimming Pool.

“If the committee can produce a sound and sustainable financial plan to maintain the pool’s year-round operations, this will be considered by the city,” she said.

“However, no additional funding will be made available by the city.”

Bendigo East Swimming Pool will close on 12 April and is expected to re-open for the 2024/25 summer season but no date has been set.