SEVEN YEARS AGO

Press Release [*28 January 2004*]

COMMUNITY ACTION SAVES POOL

A unanimous decision by Council at it’s 27 January meeting has secured the future of Blackheath Pool. The Olympic Pool is to be reconstructed, a new water treatment system installed and toddlers will have shade cover. Crucial to community concerns was the retention of the ‘free-from’ pool. Council has undertaken to repair & remediate this pool too. The public gallery was crowded to overflowing at last night’s Council meeting to hear five speakers in favour of Blackheath Pool - Owen Kelly, Libby Sorby-Adams, Lisa Armitage, Dick Harris & Doug Spiller.

The meeting followed Australia Day’s highly successful ‘Blackheath Pool Party’. More than 500 local residents & supporters gathered at Blackheath Pool for rather unusual Australia Day celebration – a Pool Party without a Pool!! The event highlighted Council’s closure of the pool complex this swimming season. Speakers told of the great affection Blackheath community has for its Pool, and underscored its critical value to the social fabric of the town. “It’s not just a swimming pool, it’s the social heart of our village” said Lisa Armitage, “we’re angry and confused – they’re just bamboozling us!”

At last night’s meeting Councillor Terri Hamilton presented a petition of more than 1,500 signatures and 180 letters of complaint to Michael Willis from concerned Blackheath residents & visitors. The result of her amended motion at Council was that the Olympic Pool is expected to open for next swimming season. “We’re happy with this result” said Simon Hare an organiser of the Pool Party, “but we recognise that though this battle is won, we must keep a watching brief on progress”.