Get ready for 2020/21 outdoor swimming pool season

Published on 02 November 2020

Gannawarra Shire Council is busy preparing its outdoor pools at Cohuna and Kerang in readiness for the 2020/21 season, which begins at 3pm on Monday, 16 November.

The 2019/20 season ended prematurely in March as part of measures to protect residents and staff from COVID-19, with maintenance works undertaken the Cohuna and Kerang swimming pools, as well as the community-managed Leitchville Swimming Pool, since August.

“These works have included refurbishments to the kiosks at the Cohuna and Kerang swimming pools, the replacement of expansion joints in the Cohuna Swimming Pool’s main pool and improvements to lighting, change rooms and toilets at the Leitchville Swimming Pool,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly said.

“Final preparation works will occur during the next two weeks, ensuring the pools and surrounds are ready for when these facilities open to the public later this month.”

As well as preparing the two outdoor pools, Council has determined it will adhere to State Government, Life Saving Victoria and Aquatics and Recreation Victoria guidelines in place for swimming pools at this time, implementing numerous COVIDsafe measures to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.

“In line with these measures, visitors will be required to sign in provide their contact details to assist with contact tracing, and, where possible, pay for entry and kiosk items via Eftpos,” Mr O’Reilly said.

Capacity numbers will also be capped within the Cohuna and Kerang swimming pools to ensure social distancing measures are met.

At the Kerang Swimming Pool, no more than 50 people can be in any of the facility’s pools at the same time, with users of the splash park encouraged to keep 1.5 metres apart.

Meanwhile, the Cohuna Swimming Pool’s main pool capacity will be limited to 50 people, with 20 people able to be in the facility’s intermediate pool at any time. No more than 10 people can be in the toddler pool at the same time.

“Council thanks visitors to these pools for their understanding and looks forward to another successful season,” Mr O’Reilly said.

For more details on Council’s pools, as well as community managed swimming pools at Koondrook, Leitchville and Quambatook, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/pools