Aquatic Centre opens its doors

Published on 02 July 2020

Horsham Aquatic Centre.jpg

Horsham Aquatic Centre has this week opened to the public after Horsham Rural City Council and contractor YMCA established a plan for an appropriate return to operation.

The Aquatic Centre opened its doors on Wednesday with the support of Council following the Victorian Government’s easing of Coronavirus restrictions.

Council Chief Executive Officer Sunil Bhalla said while certain aquatic centre programs and services were permitted to reopen from Monday 22 June, it did not mean they would reopen in Horsham straight away.

He said Council staff worked diligently with its partners to consider several factors including the safety of the community, equity of access for members and the commercial viability of re-opening.

“We are very happy that the pool has re-opened and is available to the many community members who benefit from having it operating,” Mr Bhalla said.

“We are also pleased that we were able to settle on a return-to-operation plan with the YMCA that provided for a safe facility, and one that does not incur an irresponsible financial burden on our ratepayers.

“We were aware that many regular pool users were very keen to re-open the facility,” he said. 

Mr Bhalla said, at this stage, it would not be a return to business as usual.

“The YMCA has put in place a range of COVID Safe measures to ensure the safety of members and staff, including sneeze screens, social distancing floor markings, hand sanitiser stations, on-site thermometers, increased cleaning and hygiene signage. All staff have received COVID Safe training with access to the centre will be limited,” he said.

Services that have reopened as of 1 July, 2020:

  • Aquatics space (25m pool and leisure pool)
  • Gym access
  • Group fitness classes

Revised operating hours:

  • Monday - Friday (6am – 12noon and 3pm – 7pm)
  • Saturday (8am – 12noon)
  • Sunday - Closed

    Bookings are required. See the Horsham Aquatic Centre website for details.

 

Tagged as: