Beresfield Swimming Pool has been “set up to fail” after being given a one-year deadline to improve attendances without the amenities to attract people.
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This was the view yesterday of an MP, councillors and swimming club officials after Newcastle City Council’s decision on Beresfield pool.
Council decided at its Tuesday meeting to continue operating Beresfield pool for another year, after which it will review attendance figures.
A company called Lane 4 Pty Ltd was announced as the successful tenderer for the pool lease.
“Council has made it clear that if attendance at Beresfield pool has not improved over the coming summer season, it will be closed,” ward four councillor Jason Dunn said.
“I think council set up the pool to fail last year when they cut the swimming season back and I believe they are still setting it up to fail so they can close it,” Cr Dunn said.
He called on people and schools in Beresfield and Tarro this summer to keep attendance figures high at the pool and he also urged council to improve facilities there.
“Council should reduce the entry fee of $4.80 for a single person and $16.80 for a family,” Cr Dunn said.
Barracudas Swimming Club president Greg Skinner believes the council “has singled out our pool to fail so they don’t have to make any effort to improve it”.
“The challenge is now out. We will be judged this coming season to prove we are using our pool,” Mr Skinner said.
“But council must do more to improve the pool, like water slides or learn-to-swim activities.
“We also need schools and everyone else to make good use of our pool.”
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said she would make representations to council to keep the pool operating at normal hours.
“We have a deadline to show we are using the Beresfield Swimming Centre, but we want council to make it a much nicer place to use, with better facilities,” she said.
