Minimal rise in overall commercial pool numbers over 20 years

While the opening of new aquatic centres and swimming pools is regularly promoted (and reported by Australasian Leisure Management), new research from Swimming Australia shows that the nation's overall numbers of commercial pools has risen just 0.2% over 20 years.

Research from Swimming Australia published in the November/December 2015 issue of Australasian Leisure Management (A Space for Swimming) has investigated issues impacting swimming clubs and their access to water space.

Author of the feature, Graeme Stephenson, Swimming Australia’s General Manager Aquatic Strategy wrote “it is clear that the design, management and programming of aquatic facilities has evolved considerably over the last 20 years with the promotion of leisure water, increased aquatic programing, new membership technologies and a focus on diversifying income streams.

“Indeed, a great deal has been written about the changes and the trends that are guiding or influencing decision makers as many aquatic facilities morph into leisure attractions.

“On the ground, the feedback Swimming Australia received from engagement with a range of industry stakeholders and Club volunteers expressed different views about the impact of change to the sport and the underpinning activity of swimming.

“Some highlighted benefits for the sport, while others emphasised the demise of some swimming programs.

As a result, our research of this change was to test various hypotheses from our club and industry engagement, to review the assertions of facility consultants and experts and finally, to recognise and understand the implications for the swimming pathway.”

The first research process was to examine the change in aquatic facility ownership numbers, design type and management method and to document what the trends were in these areas since 1994. This involved compiling a listing of facilities and facility type across 541 councils, private and public schools as well as major private sector venues where the water space was at least 20 metres in length.

The findings showed the minimal increase of 0.2% in the total number of aquatic facilities over the last 20 years, a period of time where there has been an increase in Australian population of 29%.

Commenting on this, Stephenson states “while there have been many new facilities built over the past 20 years, they have often been built to replace older pools that have reached the end of their lifespan.

“What we have also seen are councils building new multi-purpose centres that replace two or more older pools in an area – resulting in an overall decrease in swimming pools in that municipality.”

As a result, Stephenson concludes that “the changing facility environment (means that) the sport of swimming has had to consider an evolution in the way the sport is delivered and in how it engages with the owners and operators of aquatic facilities.”

The full feature, A Space for Swimming, is published on in the November/December 2015 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

27th October 2014 - SWIMMING AUSTRALIA ENCOURAGES POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY COACHING INITIATIVE

17th August 2012 - SWIMMERS AND LOCALS OPPOSE SYDNEY POOL UPGRADES