Colac’s Bluewater indoor pool facilities will reopen Monday 1 June with a number of measures in place to ensure safety and compliance with current Victorian Government COVID restrictions.
Current restrictions allow a maximum of 20 patrons (total) to have use of the swimming pool facilities with a booking system to be in place to ensure the maximum is not exceeded.
Colac Otway Shire Council Chief Executive Peter Brown said Council was looking forward to be reopening the swimming facility to the community.
“Council is really pleased to be reopening Bluewater to the community and we understand people will be very keen to get back in the pool.
“While the current COVID restrictions are in place, there are some changes to operations at the centre, and we ask the community to be aware of the limitations we need to ask of users of the facility to maintain the highest level of safety for patrons and staff.
“A booking system will operate to ensure we adhere to the 20 patron rule. This will mean that any person within that allocated 20 will need to be using the pool, no spectators will be allowed.
“Each allocated swimming session will be for an hour in an effort to provide many people in the community with the opportunity to use the pool.
“Bookings for sessions will open the day before – unfortunately, at this time, no walk-patrons will be allowed.
“Time will be allocated between swimming sessions for staff to conduct cleaning and sterilisation of surfaces.
“Staff will also be enforcing the physical distancing requirement of 1.5 metres between patrons, even when patrons are in the pool.
“As use of the swimming facilities remains limited under the COVID restrictions, Council will offer free entry to the pool to Bluewater members for the month of June. Memberships continue to remain suspended at this point in time.
“We would like to thank our Bluewater members, and users of the facility for their continued support and patience while we been closed. We also ask for your understanding and flexibility as these changes will be new to our Bluewater team too.
“We’re interested to learn of the impact of changes to Bluewater operations from our users and members, we encourage patrons to add their feedback to the ‘suggestion box’ at the centre or visit the Bluewater website and provide feedback via an online survey.
Mr Brown said that there would be restricted use of general facilities within the aquatic centre and that the gym, rooms for group classes and stadium remain closed.
“Under the current restrictions communal showers and change rooms remain closed, so patrons will need to arrive at the pool already in their bathers, they’ll also need to leave in their bathers after their swim.
“The spa, steam room and splash pad as well as the gym and rooms where group classes are held remain closed under current directions.”
