Over recent years, Bass Coast Shire Council, in partnership with the YMCA, have opened the Cowes Primary School's swimming pool over the summer holiday period, for public use.
Given the expectations for the safe management of swimming facilities due to COVID-19 and the availability of qualified swimming staff, the swimming pool will not be opened this year.
This has been an extremely difficult year for our community and our valued partner YMCA and this decision was not taken lightly.
Bass Coast CEO Ali Wastie said that the safety of the community is both Council's and YMCA's number one priority.
"We don't want to jeopardise the safety of the community who have valued this service over recent years, but we also need to adhere to the State Government's COVID-19 guidelines and manage these within our available resourcing," Ms Wastie said.
Construction of the new school gymnasium, is expected to begin over the upcoming school holiday period, creating additional management challenges for the YMCA.
Council, YMCA and Cowes Primary School are confident that the outdoor pool will be available for community use in future years, should it be required.
The Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Wonthaggi, with its 25 metre indoor pool is now open, with restricted access that meets appropriate social distancing requirements.
