Tea Gardens swimming pool will re-open to the general public later this year after MidCoast Council announced the facility would be managed by the YMCA for the 2021-22 swimming season.
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During last week's September monthly ordinary meeting councillors acknowledged that continuing to operate the pool under the existing model would see it closed to the general public for a second consecutive swimming season.
"With YMCA providing a supervised service at Tea Gardens, as it currently does in Taree, Forster and Wingham, we can open the doors to the general public under the State's current health orders", MidCoast Council community spaces executive manager, Dan Aldridge said.
"This is a positive step forward for the Tea Gardens community as we head into the hotter weather," Mr Aldridge said.
The pool is currently open for user groups who have their own insurance and COVID safety plan, based on a booking system with MidCoast Council.
Re-opening to the general public under YMCA supervision is scheduled to take place in early December.
But, this will be confirmed as details of the contractual agreement with YMCA are finalised, Mr Aldridge said.
"Once opened, like with all our facilities, visitors will be required to follow current health orders including checking-in using the Service NSW app," he said.
This is a positive step forward for the Tea Gardens community as we head into the hotter weather.
- MidCoast Council community spaces executive manager, Dan Aldridge
Other YMCA-operated pools in the region are also getting ready to open their doors for summer - Manning Aquatic Leisure Centre, Taree and the Great Lakes Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Forster were due to re-open last Monday, October 4.
However, a snap lockdown has delayed the re-opening.
The Wingham Memorial Swimming Pool will re-open on Monday, October 18 allowing repairs to damage caused by flooding earlier this year to be completed.
While unsupervised public swimming pools in other areas of the region will not re-open for general attendance, they will be available (in most instances) to organised swim groups which make a booking directly with council.
Groups need to demonstrate they have insurance and an approved COVID safety plan in place.
Unsupervised pools include Bulahdelah, Nabiac and Stroud. Krambach.
Council will continue to monitor and respond to public health orders as they evolve.
For more information about swimming pools across the region, and to stay updated on opening dates and times, visit www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/Recreation/Find-a-Facility
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