Newcastle Post - 30 July 2014

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Uncertain future Council to review Beresfield Swimming Centre at end of summer season

• AMELIA PARROTT _

@amelia_parrott

he future ofBeresfield Swimming Centre is

T

hanging in the balance.

There are fears the inland pool could soon be closed or sold, after Newcastle City Council awarded a tender to a Queensland-based company for the ongoing operation of its pools at Wallsend, Mayfield, Stockton and Lambton last week. The tender will see Lane 4 Aquatics manage the Wallsend, Mayfield and Lambton pools for up to five years and the Stockton pool for up to three, while the Beresfield Swimming Centre will remain in Council hands for the duration of the 2014/15 summer season. Attendance rates will be reviewed by Council at the end of the season before a decision is made about the pool's future. Labor Councillor Jason Dunn, who has long campaigned against the privatisation of the city's inland pools, said he had serious concerns for the future of Beresfield pool. "If attendances don't improve I fear the pooPs future is in real danger:' he said. "Now more than ever the Beresfield and Tarro community will need to rally behind their pool to ensure its survival. "Newcastle City Council also have an obligation to work with the local community to make their pool more affordable and attractive to users. "Entry fees are too high for most local families and Council has done nothing to increase patronage." Council's director of infrastructure, Frank Cord-

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Beresfleld Swimming Club members Edina Zuercher. Caprice Skinner. Taylah Hayes and John Skinner outside Beresfield Swimming Centre

ingley defended the decision, saying other councils were also reviewing the ways they deliver services, like swimming pools, to ratepayers. "We are following in the footsteps of councils around the country who are looking at alternative and cost effective ways to deliver services to the community," he said in a statement last Wednesday. "There are eight permanent Council staff affected

by this change in service delivery and they were briefed this morning about the transition to the new arrangements. "Council will be working closely with Lane 4 Aquatics, swimming clubs and pool users in the coming months to ensure there is a smooth transition and to keep everyone up to date on the changeover process."

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