Thorpdale community funds free swims for everyone this Summer

Published on 04 December 2020

To lift the community’s spirit following a challenging year, the Thorpdale Swimming Pool Committee has worked with Council to provide a donation that will allow the community to swim for free this summer.

The generous donation will also cover the entry cost of the Thorpdale Primary School’s swimming program and annual swimming carnival.

The Thorpdale Pool was previously managed by the community-led committee until changes in legislation resulted in Council taking over the operations of the pool in 2006. All funds raised by community volunteers continued to be held in the committee’s bank account and have remained unspent. The committee has recently reformed to find a way to invest the remaining funds back into the facility.

Opening information

From 1 December 2020, the pool will open on days where the temperature is forecast to reach or exceed 25 degrees Celsius. Open days will be determined at 5.00pm for the following day using the Warragul forecast data provided by the Bureau of Meteorology. This format allows pool-goers more time to plan their summer fun earlier than ever before.

A range of safety measures will be in place for all visitors, including temperature checks, check-ins and social distancing measures.

Pools may close prior to or during thunderstorm activity or in extreme weather conditions. All pools will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

More information about Council’s swimming pools, including full entry pricing, locations, operating hours, and conditions of entry can be found on Council’s website at Swimming.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Danny Goss

“On behalf of Council I’d like to thank the Thorpdale Pool Committee for their generosity, especially after what has been a challenging year for many families. I hope our community makes the most of this opportunity and continues to support this important facility. This is a shining example of community spirit and is part of what makes Baw Baw Shire such a great place to live.”  

Quotes attributable to Thorpdale Pool Committee Chair Natasha Hammond

“For many years the committee has held funds that were generated by community volunteers in the operation of the pool prior to Baw Baw Shire taking on the responsibility for this service. The committee has considered options for expending these funds on improvements to infrastructure at the site. However, due to several factors and as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, we now believe there is greater potential community benefit that can be derived from these funds. We believe by offering to donate to Council to provide free swimming at Thorpdale would offer an exceptional opportunity to improve the utilisation and maximise the community benefit of Council’s support towards the pool.”