Lake Macquarie City has announced a new strategy that will guide the expansion and improvement of swimming pool facilities over the next 20 years, catering to the growing population.
Lake Macquarie Council Community Assets manager, Brendan Callander, said community input was now open on the Aquatic Facilities Strategy, which would inform the future of the city’s six swim centres.
“This is all about catering to our rapidly increasing population, because we know that in 20 years our city will be home to 30,000 more people,” Callander said.
Council owns swim centres at Speers Point, Morisset, Charlestown, Toronto, West Wallsend and Swansea, which offer recreational swimming, lap swimming, aquatic fitness, water safety and learn-to-swim classes.
Lake Macquarie City said Speers Point Swim Centre could be expanded to boast a heated indoor pool, new amenities and an ‘adventure zone’ with slides and a water zipline course.
Meanwhile, Swansea and West Wallsend swim centres could host heated indoor pools, running learn-to-swim and warm water therapy sessions year-round.
“We’re asking everyone in the community to tell us what they like about our swim centres, what they dislike and how they might use the pools in years to come,” Callander said.
Lake Macquarie Mayor, Kay Fraser, said the strategy would focus on making swim centres more accessible, safe and inclusive.
“Whether it’s for rehabilitation, training or teaching kids how to swim, we want every member of the community to be able to enjoy our swim centres,” Cr Kay Fraser said.
Lake Mac residents Karen and Phillip Buckner have been using Charlestown Swim Centre for around 25 years to work on their fitness and socialise.
“I swam at Charlestown when I was pregnant with my children, my children all learnt to swim there and I can see the benefits across the board for all the people that go there,” Karen Buckner said.
“I think the essence of the pool is the fact that it’s open year-round.
“I think the pools should cater to all ages and all groups, so the new enclosed learn to swim centre is really great.”
Lake Macquarie City said community feedback would be coupled with best-practice research to develop a draft Aquatic Facilities Strategy.
Residents can have their say through an online survey until Monday, April 11.
Maia O’Connor