Local swimmers keen to dive in to their nearby public pool can rejoice, with Sunshine Coast Council today announcing its nine aquatic centres will reopen next week on Saturday 13 June.
This includes: Beerwah, Buderim, Caloundra, Coolum-Peregian, Cotton Tree, Eumundi, Kawana, Nambour and Palmwoods aquatic centres.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson welcomed the State Government's release of its Industry Plan for aquatic centres.
"This is welcome news for our entire community and, like many other business owners, our aquatic centre operators who have been doing it tough during the COVID-19 pandemic," Mayor Jamieson said.
"This means mums and bubs classes can recommence, seniors' fitness sessions can start up again and swimmers can participate in their weekly squad sessions.
"I urge all residents to contact the aquatic centres directly to understand the impact that the industry plan may have on regular scheduling.
"COVID Safe measures must be in place in accordance with the Swimming Pool and Aquatic Centre Industry COVID Safe Plan released by the Queensland Government today.
"This will set the precedent for their timetables for lessons and lane availability.
"The pools are being heated, the lane ropes are out and dedicated staff are working around the clock to welcome patrons back on 13 June."
The Industry Plan includes the following key guidelines:
Patrons of school age or younger that use swimming pools and accompanying facilities for training, education and general use purposes may do so provided buffer zones are managed between adult patrons and children.
Swimming lessons can resume with instructor-led classes in the water. Social distancing will apply where practical but the safety and hands-on nature of learn-to-swim education is recognised and approved.
For adult patrons - indoor/outdoor pools: capacity limited to a maximum of one person per 10 square metres of water surface area.
Venues with multiple pools/spaces can have multiple groups of 20 for adults and larger groups of children so long as social distance between groups is observed and patron details are recorded and kept.
Mayor Jamieson said patrons would be met with a welcome sight on their return to the aquatic centres.
"I'm pleased to report that while our aquatic centres were closed, council proactively brought forward refurbishments to Caloundra, Kawana, Cotton Tree, Eumundi and Nambour aquatic centres, who shared in approximately $1.9 million of capital works projects," Mayor Jamieson said.
While the Cotton Tree 25m pool and Kawana Aquatic Centre 50m pool are still undergoing renovations, the following refurbishments are complete:
Cotton Tree Aquatic Centre learn to swim pool resurfacing.
Kawana Aquatic Centre 50m pool filtration replacement.
Caloundra Aquatic Centre – resealing of the learn-to-swim (program) pool.
Eumundi Aquatic Centre – repair of the storage shed and learn-to-swim pool plastic curtains.
