Lake Macquarie City Council proposes year-round opening for its aquatic centres

Plans by Lake Macquarie City Council for all of its swim centres to open year-round and to host dedicated learn to swim pools have been revealed as part of the Council’s draft Aquatics Facilities Strategy, now on public exhibition.

Advising that community feedback had supported the development of the draft strategy, which aims to expand and improve Council’s six aquatics facilities over the next two decades, Lake Macquarie City Council Section Manager Community Assets, Brendan Callander stated “we’re focused on building a strong swimming community that is accessible to everyone at all times, supporting opportunities for social connections, recreation and exercise.

“Now, we’re inviting the community to have their say on the draft strategy during public exhibition.”

With Lake Macquarie City Council owning swim centres at Speers Point, Morisset, Charlestown, Toronto, West Wallsend and Swansea, if approved, the strategy would deliver a new heated indoor learn to swim pool, waterplay area and car park upgrade at Swansea Swim Centre, as well as a grandstand replacement and platform lift to improve access for people with disability.

The existing splashpad at Charlestown Swim Centre would be replaced with a waterplay zone and a new platform lift, while a new heated indoor learn to swim pool and platform lift would also be delivered at West Wallsend Swim Centre.

Speers Point would host a large waterplay area, new grandstand, improvements to parking and a year-round warm-water program and learn to swim pool.

Morisset Swim Centre would have its toddler pool replaced with a waterplay zone, and a heated indoor learn to swim pool added alongside car park improvements.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said Council prides itself on promoting an active lifestyle and provides sport and recreation facilities to support this, commenting “I believe the draft strategy goes a long way in ensuring lifesaving water safety skills can be offered to even more people.

“I am excited to see this draft strategy implemented over the coming years, and to watch our swim centres grow and thrive and potentially train the next Thorpedo or Madame Butterfly.”

Submissions close on Monday 24th October 2022.

Click here to view the draft strategy.

Main image: Lake Macquarie City Council's draft Aquatics Facilities Strategy recommends a waterplay zone for Charlestown swim centre.