Blackheath pool's opening hours will be cut back next season despite a boost in numbers during extended opening times last summer.
While the pool recorded more than 200 additional visits during the extended hours over the 2010/11 season, the extra numbers failed to offset costs and saw Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) pay $82 per additional visit, a report to the council stated.
BMCC staff recommended at last night (Tuesday's) meeting that the hours revert back to the 2009/10 season, which saw the pool open from 7am to 7pm with a five-hour closure between 10am and 3pm on school days, and 10am to 7pm on weekends and public holidays.
Ward 1 councillor Terri Hamilton moved that the council maintain the extended hours, arguing the trial had not been long enough.
"I feel we have only had this for one season, it's not long enough for people to know what's going on there," she said.
"[We should] have another go at it to see what happens."
But she was in the minority, with Clr Alison McLaren saying ratepayers should not have to foot such an expensive bill.
"At $82 per person I don't think I am prepared to support this," she said.
"That's an amazing subsidy and no resident of the Blue Mountains should be expected to subsidise a swimming visit to that extent."
Clr Hamilton's motion only received four votes in favour and was declared lost. Staff recommendations to revert back to the pool's original hours were then passed nine votes to three.
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