Planning under way for Corangamite Shire’s COVIDSafe pool season

Council swimming pools across Corangamite Shire (situated in the South West region of Victoria) are being prepared for a COVIDSafe summer working with local pool committees, the YMCA and Life Saving Victoria to prepare for the coming season.

The wet deck conversion is under way at the Lismore Main Pool, while Skipton, Terang and Timboon pools are being repainted.

Chief Executive Andrew Mason said the pools would be a welcome recreational space for patrons to enjoy this summer and a fresh coat of paint would make sure they look great.

Mason advised “the 2020/21 season is scheduled to start on Saturday 19th December to coincide with the school holidays.

“All pools will open half an hour longer than last year during school holidays and on weekends. The season will close on the Labour Day weekend in March.”

Mason said season passes would be 80% of last year’s prices to reflect the fact that the pools are opening in December instead of November due to COVID-19 restrictions adding that “Season tickets can be used across the Shire’s six swimming pools.

“They are available from the Civic Centre in Camperdown or can be bought directly from the pools. EFTPOS facilities are available at each pool.”

Mason said Council was planning optimistically, but cautiously, to provide the usual healthy and social summer activities and noted “we are following advice from the Department of Health and Human Services that will ensure we can provide a COVIDSafe environment for all pool users.”

That advice includes details about sanitisation stations, additional cleaning, signage and reporting of users’ details for contact tracing purposes.

Social distancing requirements mean a maximum of 50 people in the pool and 4metres2 per person in the grounds.

Mason added “we will continually monitor the latest advice from the state government and all decisions will be made with the wellbeing of our communities as the top priority.”

YMCA is recruiting pool staff. For further information please click here 

Community members are encouraged to follow the Corangamite Shire Pools page on Facebook for the latest updates.

Opening times and fees can be found here. 

Image of Camperdown Swimming Pool courtesy of Corangamite Shire