Next week (Monday 28 February to Sunday 6 March, 2022) opening hours will be reduced to morning and afternoon sessions. This will be 5.30am to 9am and then 3pm to 6pm.
Tamworth Olympic Pool will close for the season from Monday 7 March, 2022.
Mr Kelly said there is “no singular factor” which has driven the decision. “There are multiple reasons which combine to make this decision a logical one – including availability of suitably qualified staff, cooler overnight temperatures, reduced numbers of patrons using the facility and responsible financial management,” he said.
“Council employs a mix of full time and casual staff to keep the pools open. Staffing always becomes a challenge late in the season and Council are conscious of the need to not push our remaining staff to levels where fatigue impacts their ability to successfully perform a role that requires a high level of attentiveness”.
Mr Kelly said he has been talking with pool user groups over the last few weeks – as is the usual practice this time of year – and from early March all user groups can be catered for at the South and West Tamworth Memorial Swimming Pool (Scully Pool).
“This does require a small degree of compromise from local swim clubs and the water polo club, but has proven to be workable in the past, and their understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated,” Mr Kelly said.
The swimming season at Council’s outdoor pools starts the same time as Term 4 of the school year and ends with the first term of the school year.
However, specific dates for an end to the season at any public pool is decided “giving consideration to weather, water temperature, the requirements of key user groups and patrons, operational and resource constraints”.
“We know the early March closure of Tamworth Olympic Pool is news which will not be well received by a small number of avid early morning swimmers,” he said.
“However, based on the overall low number of people using the pool, keeping it open does not represent responsible financial management for our ratepayers.
“It is to be expected that the number of regular swimmers will continue to reduce as the water temperature drops and at Scully Pool we can heat the water so it is more comfortable for those swimmers who want to stay in the water right up to the close of season.”
Mr Kelly said it is important to understand that while one pool in Tamworth is closing, the community can still access a public pool for their recreational needs and all pool user groups can still effectively operate, it is instead consolidating all use into one single facility rather than operating two.
All Tamworth City Swimming Club bookings will remain at Tamworth Olympic Pool next week.
