Beresfield swimming pool might now be the cheapest in Newcastle but it still faces the prospect of closure, some swimmers and Newcastle City councillors believe.
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Entry fees to the pool were dramatically slashed from the $5 proposed for this year and next to $2.80, at a Newcastle City Council meeting on Tuesday night.
This came about after an amendment from ward 4 Cr Jason Dunn, who said council was obliged to make the pool more accessible for Beresfield people.
“This could be a breathing space for the people of Beresfield and Tarro to make their views known about their pool and make public submissions,” Cr Dunn said yesterday.
“It is so important that people do this and the new fee charges will be on public exhibition for 28 days before they are endorsed.
“We must make sure that council is aware the proposed entry fee changes have full community support.”
Cr Dunn applauded the new entry fee charges as a real win for the local community.
“But the fight to save Beresfield pool from closure is still on,” he said.
“The new entry fees might be a real game changer for the pool, but it is very much up to people now to show they will use their pool.
“If people do this in remarkable numbers, it could still be very difficult for council to close it.
“They would like to do this and I don’t think people realise how serious the situation is.
“This coming swimming season will be the most important one ever for people to show they want their pool to remain open.”
Baracudas Swimming Club chairman Greg Skinner said he was surprised at the lower entry cost.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think there would be such a dramatic entry fee reduction,” he said.
“But if patronage does not surge on this basis, the closure of Beresfield pool could still be possible.
“While we hope this new entry fee will bring the people in, council still needs to play its part and make the pool more attractive, by installing water equipment and beginning learn-to-swim programs.
“A good public turnout could be the last chance to save Beresfield pool.”