Geelong council’s facing more public backlash with its draft 2023-24 budget flagging the partial closure of the Kardinia pool.
It’s the only outdoor fifty-metre facility open all year round and is used as a local training ground for surf life savers, however council is canvassing the public’s opinions on a winter closure of the site.
It’s one of numerous service cuts proposed in a budget focused on equalising the city’s finances.
East Geelong resident Lucy Fahey has started a petition to keep the facility open that almost 800 people have signed.
“Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club, they actually use the facility about three times a week to train their groups,” she said.
“It’s really important that the community let’s the City of Greater Geelong how important this asset is to them.”
Council provided a $400,000 allocation to the facility in its 2021-22 Budget to keep it open all year round, citing visitation numbers of 5,472.
At the time then Mayor Stephanie Asher said the extended timetable “enables the community to hit the pool and stay active, no matter the weather – which we know is so important for both our physical and mental well-being.”
Ms Fahey said a reduction of opening hours would be at odds with this ongoing goal.
“Closing Kardinia Park Pool for winter would only disadvantage the physical and mental well-being of the community and jeopardise the social connections built through the clubs and groups that use this facility,” she said.
Feedback on council’s draft budget closes May 24, before a final budget is presented to council on June 27.
Photo: Geelong Cr Stephanie Asher with lifeguard Carter Harris-Smith at Kardinia Aquatic Centre in 2021 (Supplied)