Blackheath’s pool operating season will be flexible in 2017 and extend for three weeks into March, if the hot weather of March 2016 returns.
Friends of Blackheath Pool Jennifer Kelly told the council meeting of December 13 that residents were in an “uproar” when the pool shut on the first weekend in March as scheduled, as temperatures soared into the high twenties.
“In February this year, it was very hot and it was so hot that all of Blackheath was down at Blackheath pool,” she said.
“The weather continued into March but the pool didn’t and the uproar was enormous with people unable to understand why you would close a pool when it was so hot,” Ms Kelly added.
Historically, March has very low attendance at the pool, which is why the decision was made to bring the season forward in 2016. As well, staff employment contracts finished so it was not just a matter of continuing for a few more weeks or opening on hot days.
Councillors agreed to the potential extension at the only unheated pool in the Mountains.
Ward 1 Cr Kerry Brown said it was a good decision “for the comfort of Blackheatheans ...the pool is a great asset and the more we are able to have it open, the greater the possibility is to increase the use.”
Extending the season would cost an additional $4,200 a week. Memberships will expire on the first weekend of March.
A three week extension will cost $12,600.
