experts agree 3081 needs aquatic facilities

To whom it may concern,

 

Over the past several months I have read and heard much about the proposed closure of the Olympic Leisure Centre swimming pools. I am devastated by this news. Not only will the closure of the pools deprive the local community of a highly regarded resource it will decrease the opportunity to access swimming and water safety skills, and exercise, social and community engagement opportunities for the local and wider community.

 

For 20 plus years I was a swim teacher working at Ivanhoe Aquatic and Olympic Leisure. For approximately 10 of those years I was the swim school manager working out of both Ivanhoe Aquatic and Olympic Leisure. With an average of approximately 3,000 students per week across the two centres we taught swimming, and very importantly, water safety skills; working with local schools, local families and the broader community.

 

Having read the report sent to Council I understand that at surface level it seems logical to close the pools however on closer examination the answer to the issue is not so straightforward.

 

The pools are old, numbers have dropped and there seems little point in keeping them open.

 

Whist this statement is accurate there are a number factors which have contributed to this current situation. Factors which are lost in the statistics:

 

1. Council has known for at least 10 years that the pools needed to be refurbished. I was part of the discussion at the time. Council chose to do nothing about the situation. Cosmetic repairs were done but the major concerns were not addressed.

 

1. The learner’s pool has been closed for over 12 months. This has no doubt been a significant factor in the drop in user numbers. The Learners Pool was central to the provision of swimming lessons. The 25m pool is too deep for young children and learner swimmers. 90 percent of all swimming lessons were held in the 12 metre pool hence the decline in student numbers - there is nowhere to safely teach them to swim.

 

1. The Friday Night Women’s Swimming would also have been impacted by the closure of the 12 metre pool. Many of the women brought their children with them. They would play and swim in the 12 metre pool while their mothers socialised and swam in the 25m pool.

 

1. In addressing the concern around the location of the pool it is important to understand and not misinterpret the information. The centre, not the pool as such, was ,on rare occasions ,used as a place of safety when external situations arose. Most of the situations emanated from the close proximity of the bottle shop in the nearby shopping strip. Not from the centre itself.

 

As a final consideration when looking at the proposed closure of the pools at Olympic Leisure there are a number of factors to take into account:

 

1. The SEIFA Data confirms that this area in Heidelberg West is one of the most disadvantaged communities in Melbourne and Victoria  - a very different population to the users of Ivanhoe Aquatic. I have watched brave Arabic women bring their children to Ivanhoe Aquatic. As others have written - that short drive is a very long way from home

 

1. Drowning statistics show that there is an over representation of migrant families in drowning deaths. There is an absolute need to swimming lessons that are accessible and  affordable

 

1. It is very obvious that the culture, diversity and cheaper housing has brought new families to the area. The significant changes are on show as you drive by. This new group of residents want a local community centre. The pool is just across the road - why isn’t it usable?

 

 

1. Olympic Village Primary School has to pay for buses to transport their students to swimming lessons. Buses add considerable cost to school provided swim lessons. Anywhere from $4,000 for a 10-week swim program.

 

There is nothing to indicate that the pools would not be used if they were upgraded. The local community is diverse, growing and wanting a local facility. Statistics are just that. What lies underneath is the important information. Heidelberg West, Bellfield, is growing, diversifying and will use a local centre that meets their needs.

 

Liz Dance

Dr Liz Dance. PhD

Banyule Leisure swim teacher / lifeguard (retired)

Swim School Manager (retired)