General News
1 December, 2022
Pools prepare to open for summer season
Pools will be back with a splash from this Saturday across the region, although Maryborough’s outdoor pool will be closed this summer, as announced earlier this year. Central Goldfields Shire Council made the decision to close the pool...
Pools will be back with a splash from this Saturday across the region, although Maryborough’s outdoor pool will be closed this summer, as announced earlier this year.
Central Goldfields Shire Council made the decision to close the pool indefinitely for safety and structural reasons, with the Olympic pool needing to be demolished and rebuilt.
Central Goldfields Shire mayor Cr Grace La Vella said she understands the community’s disappointment.
“We understand that the closure of the Maryborough Outdoor Pool will cause inconvenience and disappointment to our local community. We know the facility is much loved by our local residents and the wider community,” she said.
“The reality is that the pool is more than 80 years old and we must ensure the pool is safe for our community to use.
“We’ll continue to advocate tirelessly to state and federal governments for the $6 million we need to rebuild this heritage listed, recreation and sporting icon so as to ensure it can be enjoyed by future generations.”
Locals can still get in the water at the outdoor pools in Talbot and Dunolly which will be opening from this weekend with free entry.
Both pools will open from 3 to 7 pm on school days and 1 to 7 pm on school holidays and weekends — when the temperature is 25 degrees or above.
The Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre will also extend its hours and remain open until 7 pm on weekends and public holidays. Weekday opening hours will remain as normal. The centre will also offer reduced fees for casual entry during the outdoor pool season.
Pools in Mount Alexander Shire including Newstead and Maldon are also scheduled to open this weekend.
Pools will not open if the forecast temperature for the day is lower than 23°.
The Newstead pool opening hours are:
• 2 to 8 pm Monday through to Sunday during school holidays.
• 4 to 6 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 2 to 8 pm on Wednesdays during school term.
• 4 to 8 pm Fridays, 2 to 8 pm Saturdays, and 2 to 6 pm Sundays during school term.
Opening hours for the Maldon pool will be weekends and weekdays during school holidays from 1 to 6 pm, and weekdays during school term from 3 to 6 pm.The Hepburn Shire is again offering free entry to its pools which also open from this weekend — including Clunes.
Due to a sector-wide shortage of aquatics staff, council will initially reduce pool operating hours.
Opening hours will be weekends and weekdays during school holidays from 2 to 6 pm, and weekdays during school term from 3 to 7 pm.
The Clunes pool opens on days predicted to be 21° and over.