Liverpool City Council has reopened the doors to its outdoor swimming pools with stringent COVID-19 safe procedures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of staff and patrons. The outdoor pool at Michael Wenden Aquatic Centre will reopen on Friday 1 October ahead of the long weekend, joining the Whitlam Leisure Centre which reopened earlier this week.
Council will require members and visitors to be fully vaccinated in addition to the requirements stipulated in the Public Health Order.
Liverpool City Council Mayor Wendy Waller said she is looking forward to welcoming back regular patrons and residents who have been eagerly awaiting the reopening of swimming facilities in Liverpool, with COVID-19 safe procedures in place.
“Council recognises the important role outdoor pools and leisure centres play in addressing the recreational needs of the community, as for many residents they provide a place of social interaction as well as recreation.
“Our number one priority is the safety of patrons, staff and Council’s decision to restrict access to only fully vaccinated patrons at this time in our facilities is to help further safeguard the potential of any further community transmissions of COVID-19. This is in line with the Public Health Order that will take effect from 11 October 2021 which mandates that only fully vaccinated patrons can attend pools.
“The leisure complexes, due to their physical layout, requires patrons to access through the main indoor areas of the complex. This includes potentially access to change rooms, showers, and toilet facilities which involves other COVID-19 safety requirements applicable to major recreational facilities rather than outdoor pools.
“We ask everyone to be patient as we navigate towards a safe reopening of our recreation and leisure facilities, and understand the rules are in place for their safety and the safety of others,” Mayor Waller said.
Until the 1 December 2021, when the NSW Government’s Roadmap to Freedom will commence, the following will apply to Leisure Centre access:
- Access to outdoor pools will be restricted to those residents who are able to demonstrate that they are fully vaccinated (have received two vaccination doses), or those who have a medical exemption;
- Children (under the age of 18) may attend the Centre without vaccination if they are supervised by a fully vaccinated adult,
- Proof of vaccination status must be produced to Centre staff at the point of entry,
- Access to the facility is limited to a maximum of five (5) vaccinated persons in any group; and
- All patrons within the Centre must comply with the guidelines specified within the Public Health Orders with regard to, among other things, social distancing, wearing of face masks and the limit on the number of people at a gathering.
Whitlam Leisure Centre is located at 90A Memorial Avenue, Liverpool. Michael Wenden Aquatic Centre is located at 62 Cabramatta Avenue, Miller.
Public holiday opening times differ so please contact the respective venues via phone, email or social media to check.
