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SWIMMING POOLS COPPER COAST

2013

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Moonta Bay ................................................................................................................................................. 8

Wallaroo ..................................................................................................................................................... 9

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Moonta Bay ...............................................................................................................................................13

Wallaroo ...................................................................................................................................................15

Program Pool 15m x 7.5m (inc Hydrotherapy) .........................................................................................16

Public Pool ................................................................................................................................................20

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Swimming Enclosures ...............................................................................................................................20

Program Pool ............................................................................................................................................20

Public Pool ................................................................................................................................................20

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The purpose of the Copper Coast Swimming Pool Working Party was to investigate and then

provide recommendations via the CEO for the future consideration of the Council in regards

to a future land based swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool and the current swimming

enclosures by:

Considering a variety of options and providing comment

Preparing costs and funding models

Assisting with understanding a range of community preferences and likely usage

The working party appraised the current position and concluded that the swimming

enclosures have traditionally been part of the summer experience on the Copper Coast. It

should be the highest priority to preserve that experience for both the local population and

the tourism industry and if water play activities were added, it would create many of the

benefits of a land based swimming facility, but without the associated operating costs. A

hydrotherapy and learn to swim facility (program pool) was also deemed a high priority and

the sites identified for this was at the Wallaroo Hospital and the Copper Coast Sports and

Leisure Centre, predominately because those sites are already staffed and open seven days.

This smaller pool was given a higher priority over an indoor 25m public indoor pool which is

seen as a longer term project that could become more viable with future population growth.

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Swimming Enclosures x2 (Moonta Bay, Wallaroo)

Both using nets that are fitted from November to March.

Both in need of major maintenance or reconstruction

Moonta Bay

Size is about right, when nets are replaced increase length on

the seaward side by 3-4 metres

The water is shallow at low tide and therefore the enclosure

needs to be 230m from the high tide line.

Jetty structure sound and majority is owned by the State.

While this means the Council has no control over its long term

future, it has benefited from a state funded upgrade.

Net supports deteriorated beyond repair and need

replacement

Nets are often ineffective. i.e. gaps at the water line.

Wallaroo

Size is about right, with a good mix of shallow and deep areas

The enclosure needs to between 0m and 80m from the high

tide line.

Jetty structure has only 2 to 5 years life remaining and will

need to be either reconstructed in situ or replaced. The steel

section is at the end of its life cycle.

Net supports form part of the jetty structure

Nets are often ineffective. i.e. gaps at the water line.

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Learn to swim – Holidays

Learn to swim – Schools

Private Pool – Operated in Kadina (Closed in April 2013)

Term 4 2012 (weekly)

Learn to swim 269

Toddlers 192

Physio 23-29

Leisure swims 20-25

Disability 22-28

Aqua Aerobics 42 (3 classes)

(average cost $10 per person per 45min Session)

Other

Closest Public Pools (Balaklava, Crystal Brook, Port Pirie, Clare)

400,000 visitors (49% use the beach areas)

CCSLC – Masterplan currently being undertaken

Wallaroo Private Hospital reviewing its ability to establish a therapy pool

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Strengths

Facilities being well patronised

Two facilities – easier for schools to access (reduced bus costs)

Beaches (pristine) / Jetties

Access to natural environment

No costs – lifeguards, chemicals etc. as associated with inland pool.

Weaknesses

Costs to maintain structures

No Hydrotherapy

Climate – outdoor swimming (winter and hot summer days)

School programs – no nets, no swimming at beach

Condition of current netted pools.

Safety in natural environment – sharks, fish, jellyfish, shells etc

Public liability insurance

Budget restraints of the Council to fund new or redevelopments(1.5M deficit

Neighbouring Schools – travel costs

High level accreditation for swimming certificates

Swimming Enclosures cannot be insured against wave damage

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Opportunities

Growing Community

Well balanced community – various age groups

Potential clientele

Selling the idea to the community – fund raising etc.

Grant funding options

Activities / lessons already underway

To have both netted pools and inland pool in the future

CCSLC Masterplan - option to include hydrotherapy pool

Wallaroo Health Services - option to include hydrotherapy pool

Funding for hydrotherapy pool – health services?

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Moonta Bay Jetty and Swimming Enclosure located approximately 230m from land on a DPTI

Jetty. The facility is suitably sized, but is in need of a major redevelopment.

FIGURE 1 - LOCATION OF EXISTING MOONTA BAY SWIMMING AREA

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Wallaroo

FIGURE 2 - AERIAL PHOTO OF EXISTING WALLAROO SWIMMING AREA

The preferred replacement construction method is show below. This consists of steel

posts with steel mesh and a timber railing. A similar enclosure has successfully been

created at Streaky Bay.

FIGURE 3 - DESIGN OF SWIMMING ENCLOSURE

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A feature of many indoor pool facilities is a water play area. A cost effective way of

enhancing the current outdoor facilities is to create outdoor water play areas that create

the options available at an indoor facility, but at a lower cost.

A joint project with the Moonta Bay Caravan Park operators will reduce the Councils

exposure to ongoing maintenance and operating costs.

NEWS FLASH

No one had to explain the splash pad to the kids.

"They love it! I can't get them out of there!" Dessouki shouted over the clamor of kids

blasting water guns, dodging buckets of water and yelping as geysers shot up between their

toes.

From the city's perspective, the splash pad is a good swap for the pool.

But the splash pad has almost no operational costs. That's because no staffers are required

-- children turn on the water themselves by touching raised switch-pads.

The water starts to flow and continues for five minutes. It alternates flowing from the guns,

showers and pop-up fountains.

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The park shuts itself down during rainstorms. "It is kind of on auto-pilot," said park and

recreation director Zac Dockter.

It requires very little maintenance.

Approximately 60 people (50% Physio / 50% Disability) regularly used the private facility at

Agery Road. It is believed these people could be catered for in a standalone therapy pool at

the Wallaroo Hospital or a multiuse program pool at the Copper Coast Sport and Leisure

Centre.

The construction of an indoor land based swimming pools has been requested by the

community via various methods over recent years. While it did feature in the Strategic

Planning process, it had a lower rating then some of the other community infrastructure

such as roads and community access pathways. A youth forum in 2012 also indicated by a

75% majority that the Councils first focus should be on fixing and improving the current

swimming enclosures.

Benefits

All year facility resolved issues with swimming opportunities in winter.

Not subject to weather or exposure to natural risks such as sea life.

Issues

Annual operating costs. Loss of at least $250,000 is predicted

Location. School groups may not travel for lessons due to the cost of busses.

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NEWS FLASH

Wollongong City Council is losing more than $3.5 million a year keeping its

network of public pools open

The figures show each and every swimmer is being subsidised by up to $10.85

per pool visit, courtesy of ratepayers.

This ranged from a net loss of $285,939 at Helensburgh pool to $522,104 at

Port Kembla pool.

A program pools has been identified as a cost effective method of providing a level of

service outside the scope of what the current swimming enclosures provide. A 15 x 7.5

metre program pool with a depth of 1.2m to 1.8m would provide a space for a variety of

water based activities including, learn to swim, aqua aerobics, hydro therapy and swimming

club based training. The pool temperature would need to be a compromise at around 32’ to

suit the multiple uses.

FIGURE 4 – PROPOSED LOCATION OF PROGRAM POOL

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Moonta Bay Construct a permanent swimming enclosure using new posts and steel

mesh.

Install pontoons in the deep end

Water play in conjunction with the caravan park operator. With the

caravan park operator undertaking the daily maintenance and paying the

operating cost for the facility.

Change rooms in conjunction with upgraded toilets

FIGURE 5 - LOCATION OF PONTOONS AND EXTENSION OF ENCLOSURE

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FIGURE 6 - LOCATION OF WATER PLAY - CARAVAN PARK LAND

FIGURE 7 - PROPOSED WATER PLAY FEATURE

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Wallaroo Construct a permanent swimming enclosure as per Streaky Bay

Create some water play – to a lessor scale than Moonta Bay due to

availability of land and the cost of new Jetty. Water nozzles placed in the

ground and water cannons would be options to consider.

Option 1 - Replace current jetty with a floating pontoon structure that

acts as a floating pool. One supplier has indicated that this system will

work, however, some doubt remains as to whether it will be able to

handle the winter storms.

FIGURE 8 - SHOWING FLOATING PONTOON AND NETS

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Option 2 - Replace the existing Jetty with a straight jetty and construct an

enclosure off to one side, similar to the Moonta Bay enclosure.

FIGURE 9 - NEW JETTY

Program Pool 15m x 7.5m (inc Hydrotherapy)

Construct a new pool as part of the CCSLC

The pool could either be funded by debt, funded through the 13/14

capital budget or a combination of both. The indicative operational

budget does allow for some longer term payment of the construction

costs.

Pool to be utilised for learn to swim, aqua aerobics, clubs and for

treatment/therapy sessions

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Indicative Operating Budget

Income

Learn to Swim $120,000.00

Aqua aerobics $18,000.00

Therapy $26,000.00

Group hire $15,000.00

Total $179,000.00

Expenses

Staff $90,000.00

Power $12,000.00

Chemicals $8,000.00

Maintenance $10,000.00

Interest $18,000.00

Capital $20,000.00

Total $158,000.00

Profit/Loss $21,000.00

Pool Specifications

o 15m x 7.5m

o 1.8m deep to 1.2m deep

o Stairs with handrail shallow end

o 400mm ledge down one side for learn to swim

o Anchors for land ropes

o Temperature 32’

o Landing/viewing area approx 3 metres around the pool

o Lifter (Ex Wallaroo Hospital) to be fitted

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FIGURE 10 - POSSIBLE SITE LAYOUT

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FIGURE 12 - REAR ELEVATION

FIGURE 11 – SIDE ELEVATION

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Public Pool

A 25m undercover public pool is desirable, but is seen as the lowest

priority once all other recommendations have been completed. Research

has indicated that a pool must be enclosed and that the community must

be prepared to subsidise the operations for at least $250,000 per annum

from general rate revenue. This is seen as a longer term project and will

become more feasible with population growth.

A public pool would be ideally located at the CCSLC and should be factor

in as part of the overall site master plan. Staffing and operational costs

would be higher at an independent location and the initial capital costs

would be approximately 30% higher due to duplication of existing

services at the current centre.

That the need for a public pool be reviewed once the enclosures have

been upgraded along with adjoining water play facilities and a program

pool has been constructed. These works are estimated to take at least 5

years.

Swimming Enclosures Moonta Bay including water play activities $450,000

Wallaroo Option 1 $800,000

Wallaroo Option 2 $1,500,000

Program Pool Constructed as part of CCSLC $400,000

Public Pool

Constructed as part of CCSLC $3,000,000

New site $3,900,000