Swimmers in Canowindra will this year have unsupervised access to the town’s pool.
The new initiative follows a successful Cabonne Council application for Resources for Regions funding in 2022.
When the swimming season starts on November 9, swimmers will have access to the Canowindra pool from 6am to 7pm daily even if a pool attendant is not on duty.
“This initiative offers greater flexibility and increased usage of our pools, mirroring the success of similar programs in other councils, such as Snowy Valley and Warrumbungle Shire,” a spokesperson for Cabonne Council said.
Changes to pool infrastructure have taken place during the winter to allow swimmers this increased access.
The Canowindra Pool has also been undergoing pump room upgrades to reduce operational costs and replace aging pumps that affected its hours of operation last season.
Unsupervised access gates and security cameras have also been installed with the cameras allowing for remote monitoring when pool attendants are not present.
The off-season has also seen the installation of compliant pool fencing to enhance the facility's appearance and improve safety.
Canowindra swimmers interested in unsupervised pool membership can book via the Active World App or speak with pool staff when the new swim season gets underway on November 9.
To receive an entry fob to the pool swimmers will need to have a season ticket or a 10 visit pass.
For 10-visit pass hold, which can be topped up as many times as you like, the fob costs $2.50 as a one-time fee.
Under the new unsupervised access swimmers cannot swim alone and must be 18 years of age or over.
“You must have another person with you at the facility when you swim,” Cabonne said.
“This can be a fellow swimmer, a friend, a family member, or even someone watching from the sidelines.
“If you are at the pool with only your children, you must ensure that you or they can contact emergency services if needed,” Cabonne said.
Normal pool hours at Canowindra, when pool attendants will be on hand, will be from 11am to 6.30pm Monday to Sunday.
These hours are the planned staffed hours but may be subject to change.
If staff are unavailable and on days when no staff are rostered the pool will be open to Unsupervised Hours pass holders.
Each season pass includes one free Unsupervised Pool Entry Pass fob.
For 10-visit pass holders, the fob costs $2.50 as a one-time fee.
Swimmers can top up the 10-visit pass an unlimited number of times without any additional fob cost.
Pool admission costs this season are $4.80 for adults, $3.80 for children and concession card holders, $2 for under school age children and $16 for a family.
A 10 visit pass is $43 for adults, $34 for children and concession card holders and $144 for a family.
All pool access season passes are available for $135 for adults, $97 for children and concession card holders while a family will pay $263.
“We aim to maximize public access to these facilities while managing operational costs,” Cabonne said of its new shire wide unsupervised access program.