A report tabled at Ararat Rural City Council's meeting on Tuesday 26 May outlined how the Ararat Fitness Centre is managing indoor pool temperatures, pool hall heating, and utility costs while balancing the needs of different users.
The report, 'ARARAT FITNESS CENTRE - INDOOR POOL OPERATIONS, TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT AND UTILITY COST MONITORING' said the Centre's 25-metre indoor pool is operated as a shared community facility for learn-to-swim, lap swimming, aqua aerobics, and hydrotherapy-style activity, with water temperatures maintained within a 29 to 30 degree range. Council said that range is consistent with guidance for shared indoor pools and reflects the need to accommodate multiple users at the same time.
The report also noted the pool hall is generally kept between 24 and 26 degrees, particularly during learn-to-swim and aqua aerobics sessions, to support patron comfort and safe working conditions for staff. It said recent changes to heating practices, including switching the pool hall heater off overnight and restarting it before opening, are aimed at reducing unnecessary gas use.
According to the report, the Fitness Centre's utility budget for the current financial year is $180,000, and gas costs had reached $115,105 by early January. Early figures indicate the recent operational changes reduced average daily gas usage by about 2.47 GJ and average daily gas costs by about $84.73 during the May billing comparison period, representing an estimated saving of about $5,047.83 across the 64-day cycle.
Ararat Rural City Council Chief Executive Officer Dr Tim Harrison said Council's focus was on managing the facility responsibly for the whole community. "This is a shared community facility, and the approach needs to reflect that. We have to balance comfort, safety, access, and cost in a practical and responsible way," Dr Harrison said.
Dr Harrison said Council would continue monitoring conditions at the Centre and listening to feedback from users. "We know people care deeply about this facility, and that feedback matters. Council will keep monitoring patron feedback, facility conditions, and operating costs to make sure the Centre remains safe, accessible, and sustainable for the broader community," he said.
The full report is available to the public as part of the Council Agenda and can be downloaded here: https://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/council-meeting-26-may-2026 A report tabled at Ararat Rural City Council's meeting on Tuesday 26 May outlined how the Ararat Fitness Centre is managing indoor pool temperatures, pool hall heating, and utility costs while balancing the needs of different users.
