Key Takeaways:
- The Belfast Aquatics pool in Port Fairy has been closed due to significant mould, structural, and plant concerns, with the council citing a $2 million repair cost.
- The pool was a vital community hub, with 5000 individual visits every month, including school children, people with disabilities, and sports teams.
- The closure has been met with devastation from the community, with users highlighting the pool’s importance for health, social, and recreational purposes.
- Rural pools in Victoria have been closing or facing closure for decades, with unheated outdoor pools being particularly vulnerable.
- The future of the Belfast Aquatics pool is uncertain, with the council exploring possibilities and refusing to make any decisions until all options are exhausted.
Introduction to the Pool Closure
The Belfast Aquatics pool in Port Fairy has been a staple of the community for years, providing a space for school children to learn how to swim, people to rehabilitate after injury or surgery, and sports teams to train and recover. However, the pool has been closed due to significant mould, structural, and plant concerns, with the council citing a $2 million repair cost. This news has come as a shock to the community, with many users and committee members expressing their devastation at the closure.
The Importance of the Pool to the Community
The pool was a vital community hub, with 5000 individual visits every month. It was a place where people of all ages and abilities could come together, with a ramp providing access for people with disabilities. Committee member O’Brien noted that the pool was a very egalitarian place, where everybody was equal. The pool was also an important social outlet, with users forming strong bonds and connections with one another. For people like Sonia Sandars, who has multiple sclerosis, the pool provided a sense of freedom and independence, allowing her to stand up and move around with the aid of ankle weights and a noodle.
The History of Rural Pool Closures in Victoria
Rural pools in Victoria have been closing or facing closure for decades, with unheated outdoor pools being particularly vulnerable. Dr Liz Taylor, a senior lecturer in urban planning and design at Monash University, noted that there were once around 100 outdoor pools run by communities in regional and rural Victoria, but that number had declined to around 30. The decline of rural pools is largely due to the high maintenance costs, which councils are often reluctant to carry. Instead, councils are investing in large aquatic centres in central locations, which typically include gyms and cafes, rather than standalone swimming pools in smaller towns.
The Challenges of Maintaining Rural Pools
Maintaining a rural pool is a significant challenge, with high costs and limited resources. The Belfast Aquatics pool was partially funded by a $1 levy on caravan park users, and the community operated and built the pool. However, the council owns the land, and the committee had been hoping to extend its 20-year lease after it expired this year. The council’s refusal to extend the lease, combined with the discovery of mould and structural concerns, has led to the pool’s closure. Insurance costs are also a significant factor, with the Port Fairy pool having been the site of a tragedy in 2021, resulting in fines for the pool operators and the Education Department.
The Future of the Belfast Aquatics Pool
The future of the Belfast Aquatics pool is uncertain, with the council exploring possibilities and refusing to make any decisions until all options are exhausted. The community is holding out hope that the pool can be saved, with users and committee members highlighting its importance for health, social, and recreational purposes. However, the council’s decision to close the pool has been met with devastation, with many users feeling that they have lost a vital part of their community. As Dr Taylor noted, if the pool is not reopened, it is unlikely that the town will get another one, leaving the community without a vital resource.