In the small country town of Karoonda, the local pool is a place for the community to gather, beat the heat and learn life-long skills through swimming lessons.
But locals are being asked to step up and become lifeguards to keep the pool open.
Key points:
- A shortage of lifeguards at the Karoonda swimming pool has it struggling to stay open
- The mayor says it’s important for young people and the community to have access to a pool
- Further east at Lameroo, the local pool is reopening after a $1.8 million upgrade
Karoonda residents went without a swimming pool for six years as it closed for upgrades between 2014 and 2020.
While it’s ready for business now, Karoonda East Murray Council has had difficulty recruiting qualified lifeguards to keep the pool open.
“We’ve reached out to neighbouring communities to try and source lifeguards and apparently there are shortages being experienced more broadly,” Mayor Caroline Phillips said.
“It’s certainly challenging when we’ve got that asset and we can’t use it.
“The reality is our community needs to step up and get those skills and then get paid to open the pool.”
One hurdle for bringing lifeguards to the pool has been a change in qualification requirements since it first closed eight years ago.
But Ms Phillips is hopeful the latest recruitment drive will reinvigorate interest in the role, with locals signing up for the council’s free lifeguard training program this month.
“We’re starting to get people on board which is great.
“We just need to really continue that trend and get the word out there that we need people to get involved and upskill.
“It’s a great opportunity and these are great skills they’ll take into their future.”
Diving in
Closer to the Victorian border at Lameroo, locals are ready to jump into their local pool which opens this weekend after a $1.8 million upgrade.
The pool has served the Southern Mallee community for more than 50 years, but a council report in 2021 found the facility had deteriorated.
The upgrade set out to address issues like broken tiles, algae growth due to poor water circulation, safety signage and poor disability access.
Southern Mallee Council Mayor Ron Valentine said the council was pleased with the refurbishment.
“I think it’s a brilliant facility, and whilst the grounds around aren’t 100 per cent finished, the pool itself and the infrastructure is magnificent,” he said.
The project was set for completion last May but the council said weather conditions caused delays.
Mr Valentine said the upgraded pool would serve an important role in the Lameroo community.
“It’s a place for children in particular to gather and interact with each other, because they don’t all live next to each other like they do in the city.
“Competitions are there at varying times, but it’s really about community and involvement.”