[achievement #2] 300% patronage increase

In February 2011 patronage vastly increased over the previous year.

The previous season there were 706 individual February visits, whereas in 2010-11 season there were 3,099 individual February visits!

That’s a 300%-plus increase; or an average of one hundred people through the gate every day! And most were middle-of-the-day visits. Sadly this success was overlooked in BMCC reports.

photo: 5PM Tuesday 1 February 2011 lap pool water 29.5C (air 31.5C) 

This 300% increase was despite the strongest La Nina ever recorded, and a total of sixteen rain days in February 2011; and some continue to insist no-one uses The Pool - how absurd ;)

[achievement #1] pleasant swimming water

The lap pool averages 23C throughout the season.

It is the only unheated outdoor pool in the mountains; it’s also in the coolest climate zone, yet the lap pool peaked at 29C on 1 February 2011!  

The Pool *costs nothing* to heat, it is heated entirely by the sun.  

In our new carbon-priced world could we ask for better efficiency?  

This was achieved despite a very cool, wet summer.  

As stated on ABC Radio in January 2011 

“...this is the strongest La Nina ever recorded”*.  

In the upper mountains December 2010 was the wettest in 15 years, 

and the trend continued across the season:

19 rain days in January, 

16 rain days in February, 

22 rain days in March.

* Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe of Griffith University 

speaking on ABC Radio National’s Late Night Live 24-Jan-2011 

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/latenightlive/stories/2011/3119905.htm

doggie-friendly bubbler recently installed

New bubbler near duck pond
NOTE tap & dog-height bowl at back ;)

Thank you BMCC for agreeing to FoBP&MP suggestion.

BARGAIN 2-month see-out-the-season passes

With just over two months of the Blackheath Pool season to go SEE-OUT-THE-SEASON passes are available again.

• adult $70 (saving $52 on full price)
• concession $40 (saving $33 on full price)
• family $145 (saving $125 on full price)

On sale Monday 7 Febraury 2011 at Blackheath Pool (4787 8018)

crowds flock to Pool for OzDay

The Pool was a popular spot yesterday.  Mid afternoon air temps topped 33C.  Patronage averaged 150 at any one time across the whole day.  What a successful Australia Day!  Former generations of proud Blackheathen Australians - who built The Pool - will be smiling on us ;)

7th anniversary 'Pool Party Without A Pool'

Seven years ago the Blackheath Community gathered to protest temporary closure of Blackheath Pool, and to urge Council to reconsider a permanent closure...

...the following day a unanimous decision by Council at it’s 27 January meeting secured the future of Blackheath Pool. So that today we continue to enjoy our beautiful swimming basin set in sweeping lawns & surrounded by mature rhododendrons & native bushland at a unique 1,065 metres above sea level. 

For more see FIVE YEARS AGO

Poolside e-news No.3

Welcome to a Poolside e-news focussed on attendance.

• as you’d know we suddenly have a flush of summer – water temperatures over recent days have hovered close to 25C;
• both memberships & casual visits are up over previous years;
• season-wide patronage has been better than expected considering variable weather;
• an indication of high patronage is the kiosk completely running out of stock last weekend!!
• yesterday 150-odd thru gate;
• perhaps BMCC/FoBP&MP hard work on promoting The Pool is paying off at last?
• we hope tomorrow - Australia Day - will see patronage close to records set on New Year’s Day ;)
• Pool Supervisor Jake Burton will provide detailed patronage statistics to FoBP&MP meeting on 10 February;
• part of the lawn is well enough to open this afternoon, and with luck all will open tomorrow;
• as an bonus the magnolia tree is in full bloom wafting heavy perfume on the breezes;
• Come on down The Pool & enjoy

• 
  

OPENING DAY tomorrow

 

Pool opens tomorrow Saturday 18 December

Open every weekday 7AM-7PM, 8AM-7PM weekends & public holidays, through to end of March.

On Wednesday the water temperatures were:

lap-pool 24.5C, free-form pool 25C, toddlers pool 23C 
(NB it’s 20.5C at Bondi)

For daily temperature updates follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Blackheath_Pool    

Blackheath Pool holiday passes available – an ideal Xmas gift!

Use EVERY DAY from Boxing Day to end of January 

Adult $49 / Kids & concessions $35 / Family $114 

contact Blackheath Pool for more info: 4787 8018

Kids Free Swim Lesson

Uncle Tobys is offering kids free Royal Life Saving Swim and Survive lessons.  

Collect 4 tokens from participating Uncle Tobys packs at Woolworths to claim your free swim lesson.

http://www.swimkids.com.au  

Free Swim Lesson

This summer, Uncle Tobys is doing our bit for Aussie kids by offering free Royal Life Saving Swim and Survive lessons.  Simply collect 4 tokens from participating Uncle Tobys packs at Woolworths to claim your free swim lesson.

http://www.swimkids.com.au/

"Swim & Survive" Uncle Tobys & Royal Life Saving Society

What is Swim and Survive?

Swim and Survive is a comprehensive swimming and water safety initiative of Royal Life Saving that seeks to increase the swimming and water safety skills of all Australian children in order to prevent drowning and increase participation in safe aquatic activity.

Swim & Survive will be offered at Blackheath Pool - more info http://www.royallifesaving.com.au/www/html/453-what-is-swim-and-survive.asp

Adults Learn to Swim

Now that summer is here there'll be crowds at the pool and the beach. But what if you can't swim?  Parents are encouraged to teach their children to swim but an increasing number of adults can't swim and don't have water safety skills.  Lifesaver Rob Bradley, swimming teacher Tracey Ayton and Jan Park, an adult learner, discuss the barriers to adults learning to swim and the need for a national focus on survival skills.
Listen to discussion on ABC Radio National's Life Matters 16-Dec-10.

WATER deee-licious & dee-lightful :)

Three days to opening. TEMPS - lap-pool 24.5C, free-form pool 25C, toddlers pool 23C - deee-licious & dee-lightful :)

HOLIDAY Pass = Xmas Gift suggestion

Blackheath Pool has holiday passes available for sale from opening day, for use EVERY DAY from Boxing Day to end of January - an ideal Xmas gift!

Adult $49 / Kids & concessions $35 / Family $114
contact Blackheath Pool for more info: 4787 8018

FIVE days to opening

Just five more sleeps until opening day Saturday 18th, and weather predications promising... see Blackheath Weather site Local Weather News http://www.blackheathweather.com/localobs.html

SEVEN DAYS to opening

It's just SEVEN DAYS to opening day Saturday 18 December

• THREE new umbrellas to be installed adjacent to north end of lap pool - these join the five installed last season
• two picnic tables to be relocated perpendicular to eastern fence      
• Jake’s organised a banner at Blackheath Station on opening day, and there’s a poster on each side of the station platform
• Brickwork paving over balance tank is being completed today
• Lawn topsoil is being laid today, awaiting some drainage of waterlogged lawn area before laying turf
• Ttell folks to check their Uncle Tobys cereal boxes for the free kids Learn to Swim passes
• All Pools are now filled & circulation system is running – water is 23°C today ;)

New entry signage

Poor Attendance Myth

[letter to BM Gazette, printed 17-Nov-2010]

Dear Sir/Ms,

We seek to correct the misconception about poor attendance levels at Blackheath Pool (BMG p.1 10-Nov-10).

The Pool has frequently been CLOSED half of the day!

Since re-opening in February 2006, at no time has The Pool been open consistently.

We have had split-shifts, late opening, early closing – a different set of hours each season.

FoBP&MP has worked hard with BM Leisure Centres staff to ensure this season will be different. 

There are to be no mixed messages about opening times.

This season The Pool will be OPEN FULL TIME.

We know consistency is critical - we hear the complaints from visitors & locals alike.

Full-time opening hours and a concerted promotional push is expected to significantly increase both community and tourist patronage. 

There’s extraordinary community goodwill for Blackheath Pool, we want to make it a successful & financially viable season. 

As soon as it opens, come on down everyone & enjoy a swim - all day, every day til 7PM.

Regards,

Simon Hare, Jennifer Kelly, Lyn York,
convenors, Friends of Blackheath Pool & Memorial Park

Sadly 18 DECEMBER is firming as opening day

Wet winter weather slowed BMCC work on balance tank, so sadly 18 DECEMBER is firming as opening day.  There's a slim chance of earlier opening, but it'll require a small miracle - an incredible change to warm, dry weather i.e. La Nina's brother making a sudden return!

However, when it does open, it's all day, every day til 7PM.

A Report due at Council 23-November-2010 states:

"It is unavoidable that rainfall has delayed works on the Blackheath Pool balance tank. Based on the works outstanding and the future weather forecast works are expected to be completed in mid December. There are no realistic options for accelerating the remaining works in order to open the pool by 27th November."

Full report in BMCC Business Paper 'Looking After People' p.74-75 - Item 21: Blackheath Pool Delayed Opening 2010-2011 Season.

slab poured

Concrete slab photographed drying in yesterday's warm morning sun, Sunday 14-Nov-10...

...sadly the weather has broken today - to rain - but initial drying has occurred, so can only be good news.  Note pallets of bricks & pile of sand - clear evidence that pour was a success.