Locals’ petition cites ‘substandard cleanliness’ in aquatic area at Narrogin Regional Leisure Centre

Cleanliness in the aquatic area at Narrogin Regional Leisure Centre has come under scrutiny with a petition signed by a group of residents calling on the Shire of Narrogin to intervene.

Narrogin resident Maretta Osgood presented a petition with 83 signatures to the Shire at October’s Council meeting, calling for the showers, toilets, change rooms and pool to be held to a higher standard of hygiene.

As reported by the Narrogin Observer, the petition cites mould in the changerooms and dirty tiles around the swimming pool, which, it says is discouraging people from using the facility.

Osgood and her son had been frequent users of the aquatic area but stopped going last year after she felt the “substandard level of cleanliness” was affecting their health.

As reported by the Narrogin Observer, she explained “my son has a disability, he has autism and his particular need, because he can’t go to school, is to do life learning.

“We actually stopped being able to go to the pool last year because he would get tummy issues every single time we went and the chlorine would hurt this eyes.

“So that cut off a big opportunity. He’s very much into physical exercise and he’s just become even more isolated.”

Explaining that the facility is an important community hub, especially for people living with a disability, Osgood added “it’s a real centre, it’s not only the pool - it’s a gym, it’s a toy library and it’s squash courts.

“If (the facility’s management) took this on not as a criticism, but to use the Shire to help them achieve best practice that would hopefully equal more business and more people going to the pool.

“It’s very important to people living with a disability because all they have is the library, the swimming pool, they do have an activity centre but that’s only for a certain level of disabled adult.”

The Narrogin Regional Leisure Centre is owned by the Shire, which contracts the day-to-day management to YMCA WA.

YMCA Youth Community and Leisure General Manager, Mark Furr stated “we work extremely closely with the Shire to provide a quality health and wellness facility and consequently there are over 300 happy members.

“Both the Shire and the Y were aware of the petition and we obviously take all complaints seriously and can confirm we have a very thorough cleaning schedule, whereby the centre is checked twice a day.

“We have an approved maintenance schedule and we work proactively with the Shire to maintain the facility.”

Furr said the Centre had experienced problems with its heating, ventilation and air conditioning system but those issues had since been resolved, adding “we have in the past had issues with the HVAC system which have now been resolved, and fixtures and fittings that were damaged have either been replaced or are due for replacement shortly.

“We continue to welcome feedback from the community, and members, to ensure we provide a safe and clean environment the community can enjoy.”

Shire Chief Executive Dale Stewart said a report would be prepared on the petition after reviewing the content and circumstances.

Stewart added “the Shire and YMCA have a very good working and contract relationship and meets regularly to discuss performance and maintenance issues as or if they arise.

“To date the YMCA has been an excellent service provider and we are confident we can address any perceived shortcomings in cleaning regimes.”

Images: Narrogin Regional Leisure Centre.