Your Gym

Maureen Searson

3 months ago

Hello fellow swimmers and swimming supporters. Fight for Batemans Bay's 50m pool is inviting members of the community to join us at Council's last meeting for the year on Tuesday 12th December to PACK THE GALLERY. Bring your swimming towel and swimming goggles to sit in the public gallery from 9.30. You dont have to say anything just show your support for Batemans Bay's 50m pool. There will be public presentations about the pool between 9.30 - 10.00. Council's meeting begins at 10.00.

Here is an article in the Bay Post today-
Pack the Pool is packing on the pressure after its November 25 protest.

MAKING A SPLASH: Proving you're never too young to take a position, these girls combined politics with a good time at the November 25 'Pack the Pool' protest. Photo: Andrew Belk.

The group is urging anyone who wants to keep a 50-metre pool in Batemans Bay to “pack the gallery” at the next Eurobodalla Shire Council meeting – swimming attire advised.
The group says “pack the council” is one of a series of summer actions planned by the 50-metre pool supporters.
Spokesperson Maureen Searson said a wide and diverse group of people believed that, based on the towns size, location and population projections, a 50-metre pool was the best option.
“The majority of people expect a 50-metre pool in Batemans Bay as a matter of good government and future planning,” she said.
“Swimming NSW, Batemans Bay Swimming Club, the schools, sporting groups, the CWA, the Soldiers Club and numerous others have made that clear.
“The twenty-year fight has always been to replace 50 with 50. When people find out the town will be left without a 50-metre pool, they are incredulous.”
Batemans Bay Swimming Club president Jeni McCarthy said the club supported a 50-metre pool, regardless of cost.
“We did support a 25m indoor pool, until we discovered this (50-metre) pool was going,” she said.
“That wasn’t disclosed to us, and that’s where our disappointment lay. Kids going for their country times need to do it in a 50-metre pool. It’s a long-course event.
She said the need for a 50-metre pool wasn’t just about events – it was also important for developing strong swimmers.
“To get stamina for long distance, they need the 50-metres,” she said.
“They need to get their stamina up here before they can attempt those distances in the ocean.
“We have so many kids (who) can’t swim properly – it’s crazy to think we’re a coastal town and we still have kids who can’t swim.”
Ms Searson said there was growing concern about the way the council managed aquatic facilities.
“To say there is no money for 50-metre capacity, while at the same time planning to develop Narooma pool as the shire’s ‘premiere’ 50-metre lap swimming facility makes no sense,” she said.
“It won’t service the shire’s major population centre – Ulladulla’s 50-metre pool is much closer.”
Ms Searson said carrying a colourful towel or wearing goggles was a simple way to send a message from the gallery to councillors.
“Here is a chance to let everyone present know exactly what’s on your mind without having to speak a single word,” she said.
The groups will also present a petition. The final council meeting of 2017 is at 9:30am on December 12. Any member of the public can attend. 🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️😀😀😀👩‍👩‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 ...