Zoe Moffatt
Sunbury residents are petitioning Hume council to keep the 50-metre outdoor pool open year-round, saying there is not enough room in the indoor 25-metre pool.
Local resident Brian Millett started the petition on March 8, to keep the pool open for a few hours in the morning following the unprecedented opening of the outdoor pool while works to repair the indoor pool took nine months.
This call follows a disastrous 2023 for the 25 metre indoor pool, after a leak, which was discovered on May 12, cost ratepayers $1,147,594 for repair and improvement.
Mr Millett said opening the outdoor pool had been a fantastic initiative by the council and lots of locals have been swimming all year round and have enjoyed the experience.
“We don’t want it open all day in the winter, we want it open between 6am and 9am so people can use it then,” he said.
“Some… people who were only swimming indoors are loving the outdoor pool so much they don’t want to go back indoors. It’s the fresh air, the water quality and just the vibe outside.
“It’s great for physical health, mental and emotional wellbeing, learning to swim helps save lives, multicultural community members are getting more familiar around water.”
Mr Millett said the pool remained at a comfortable temperature between 26 and 28 degrees celsius, which he said was ideal.
“The pool manager has done an amazing job by keeping it so clean and at a consistent temperature, I don’t think the winter months will deter people,” he said.
“It’s 50-metres as well so you don’t get dizzy turning around.”
Mr Millett said it’s the only 50-metre outdoor pool around and the Sunbury community deserves to be able to use it.
“They’ve left Sunbury behind, we’re only asking for it to be open between 6am and 9am so that squads can form [and] coaches can have permanency.”
A Hume council spokesperson said while the outdoor pool was open in winter 2023 there was minimal formal feedback received regarding the outdoor pool, however many comments of appreciation were made to staff on duty.
“The estimated range of additional cost to operate the outdoor pools at Sunbury Aquatic and Leisure Centre through winter is $4,500-5,000 per week,” they said.
“These costs are associated with staffing, utilities and maintenance. These estimates are highly variable and dependent on weather and hours of operation.
“The outdoor pool season at Sunbury Aquatic and Leisure Centre has been extended by two weeks to include the upcoming school holidays.
“This will be followed by the construction of the new outdoor water play project, which will make the area unsuitable for public access.”
