Get your bathers ready, swim season is nearly here.
Millicent’s swimming lake has had a late reprieve from COVID-19 and will open for summer.
Wattle Range Council has announced all of its swimming facilities will open in time for the 2020-21 swim season, with Penola Pool opening early for swimming lessons.
Council chief executive Ben Gower said despite the challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, council staff had been working hard to open the facilities for November 2020 and preparations were on track.
Mr Gower said following a successful trial last summer, a Learn to Swim Program would be run at the Penola Pool by Innovative Leisure Management, with lessons for school age children on Monday and Thursday afternoons.
The Penola Pool has also been opened three weeks earlier than usual for lap swimming and swim club training.
“With the closure of the Mount Gambier Aquatic Centre, council was expecting increased demand for its swimming facilities this year and staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the Penola and Nangwarry pools are available for swimmers,” he said.
“After initial concerns about the security and COVID Marshall requirements at the Millicent Swimming Lake, council staff have been able to negotiate a suitable outcome with the Department of Health and Wellbeing that allows the lake to open at the usual time.”
Mr Gower said patrons were urged to follow signage at the swimming lake and stay out of the water when the “lake closed” signs were in place.
“The Department of Health has been very clear that if people do not abide by the signage at the Millicent swimming lake, then they may insist on the lake being emptied.
Once it is emptied, we will not be refilling it this season,” he said.
Mr Gower said plans were on track for the swimming lake, Penola and Nangwarry pools to open to the public on October 31, weather permitting.
As in previous years, the Penola pool will only open when the forecast temperature is 20 degrees and over.
For Nangwarry, the pool will open when the forecast temperature is 23 degrees and over.
