For decades the public pool at the Ocean Shores Country Club provided a place for northern Shire locals to play and keep cool during the heat of summer. But the much-loved local swimming spot will witness its final game of marco polo next month, with the club announcing its imminent closure.
In a move that adds even greater urgency to Byron Council’s plans to upgrade the Shire’s public pools, the Country Club says that its pool has become too expensive to run.
‘Significant and immediate costs are required to bring the pool up to a safe and usable standard, including essential repairs to the coping tiles, signage and safety equipment, fencing, pool furniture and shade replacement as well as the ongoing maintenance,’ the club’s board of directors said in a letter to members.
‘In addition to the financial burden, there is also the issue of public liability risk. With society becoming more litigious and insurers taking on less risk while raising premiums, the potential liability posed by keeping the pool open is a risk the club cannot afford to bear.
‘The pool is no longer up to standard, and continuing to operate it exposes the club to significant legal and financial risk.’
The board acknowledged that the closure was ‘a sad time’ as the pool had been a central feature of the club for many years. However, they said that the facility had reached the end of its lifespan and it would be ‘irresponsible to continue investing members’ funds into its upkeep, given both the financial burden and the potential risk of injury or worse.’
The imminent closure has brought calls for Byron Council to intervene to save the facility or to at least provide advice about possible grant funding options.
However, at the time of writing, no eleventh hour interventions had been forthcoming.
Council is currently seeking community feedback on its plans to redevelop its two public swimming pools in Mullumbimby and Byron Bay.
Have your say
The preferred option put forward by Council staff is to redevelop the Byron Bay pool, and to build an entirely new swimming complex in Mullumbimby.
To have your say on the plans, go here.
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