A local has started a petition calling on Wyndham council to extend the opening hours of the Werribee Outdoor Pool.
The petition proposes extending the opening hours to 9pm daily instead of the current 7pm weekday and 6pm weekend close times.
Opening at 6am on weekends and public holidays is also requested instead of the current 8am Saturday and 10.30am Sunday start times.
Margaret Rennie, who started the petition, said the proposed changes would make the pool more accessible for working residents and families alike.
“These changes would not only enhance accessibility for working residents like myself but would also be beneficial on particularly hot days – those exceeding 40 degrees Celsius – when extended hours would allow us to cool off when we need it most,” Ms Rennie said.
“Wyndham is a growing and vibrant community where residents deserve access to outdoor recreational facilities at suitable hours.
“By extending the pool’s hours, we can foster a more inclusive and active community, empowering residents to engage in healthier lifestyles without the need for inconvenient travel.”
Ms Rennie also said extending it would be worth extending the pool’s opening dates beyond 31 March.
“To further promote health and recreation, extending the pool’s summer opening months until 30 April would also be highly advantageous,” she said.
Mayor Josh Gilligan said council currently subsidises the pool’s operational costs to the tune of $700,000 per year, and said focusing on the municipality’s proposed third aquatic centre was a more feasible long-term solution.
“So, while we could consider longer operating hours, this would simply be a Band-Aid solution and an exercise with diminishing returns, when taking into account the cost of the exercise compared to the number of community members who would benefit.
“That’s why council approved a proposal at the December council meeting to deliver a new aquatic and recreation centre in Tarneit.
“Officers are currently working on detailed designs and sizing up costs as well as funding sources to set out a clear timeframe for delivery.”
Petition: https://www.change.org/p/extend-werribee-outdoor-pool-opening-hours
