Further Council support for Belfast Aquatics

Published on 26 April 2023

Councillors have opted to investigate the feasibility of a new skills-based board to take over ownership and management of the Port Fairy Community Pool and Fitness Centre.

Following consultation with the existing community-based volunteer committee and an in-depth Council commissioned report – finding a skills-based board to operate and own the pool was seen as the best option out of four proposed by officers after having considered the report’s recommendations.

While not a Council owned or managed asset – Councillors also agreed to continue to pay an amount not exceeding $10,000 a month to cover the insurance premium in the interim to ensure continued operations.

Further funding up to $25,000 will also be provided to undertake the process of finding a skills-based board to run the facility.

Mayor Karen Foster said while Council did not operate or own the facility, it recognised the important role it played in the health and wellbeing of Port Fairy and surrounding communities.

She said setting up a skills-based board structure would improve governance and processes to ensure the facility was successful into the future.

“Council has again stepped in to provide support to keep Belfast Aquatics open and providing its important services to the regional community, including the vital learn to swim programs,” she said.

“The volunteer committee have done a great job over the past decade, and I thank them for their tireless efforts over many years.

“But the extensive, evidence based, six-month review of operations shows that for ongoing sustainability of the pool and fitness centre, a fresh approach is required.

Cr Foster said there was community appetite to ensure the centre remains community owned and managed.

“Councillors have received a barrage of emails and phone calls from residents in Port Fairy, Yambuk, Macarthur, Koroit and other parts of our Shire imploring us to do what we can to ensure the pool remains open,” she said.

“I’d now strongly encourage our community members to consider how they might be able to support Belfast Aquatics and work with us to keep the facility community-owned and operated.

“Without community support, we will have no choice but to look at other options.”