The proposal to build a supercentre pool at Hylands Rd Greystanes and close all the other pools in Holroyd is not the best thing for our community.
Location: Hylands Rd is not centrally located for all residents,
Access: All the existing Holroyd Pools in Merrylands, Guildford and Merrylands are easily accessible by public transport. Hylands Rd is in an isolated Industrial area which will force residents to use their car to access the pool
Use: Currently schools, swim groups and local residents all use these pools. All these groups will have to travel further distances to access a public pool.
Supported Community: The Holroyd City Social Plan 2010 identifies as a key social outcome for our community to be a supported community with accessible services and facilities for all. Once pool for the whole area will not meet that outcome.
Council argues that patronage is declining at ageing, unattractive pools. While money has been spent in maintaining these facilites operationally, the buildings and amenities have been left to age and run-down with no substantial facelifts or renovating to make them more attracitve and modern which would help increase patronage.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
History of our local public swimming pools
Successes in the 1950 and 1960's Olympic games fuelled an enthusiasm for competitive swimming in local pools. Swimming pools came to be seen as a standard local government community facility that was available to all Australians. (Ref: Australia's Swimming Success and Swiming Pools at culture.gov.au)
Public swimming pools built by local councils were seen as standards community facilities for residents.
Merrylands was the first public swimming pool in Holroyd opened in 1968. The original pool was upgraded for the Seventh National Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Games, held in March 1972.(Ref: Holroyd City library collection - Western Sydney Libraries)
Public swimming pools built by local councils were seen as standards community facilities for residents.
Merrylands was the first public swimming pool in Holroyd opened in 1968. The original pool was upgraded for the Seventh National Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Games, held in March 1972.(Ref: Holroyd City library collection - Western Sydney Libraries)
Local public pools are important for our community
Relaxing, exercising or having fun in the outdoors is part of the Australian lifestyle.
Local swimming pools provide opportunities and settings for social interaction, sharing, common interests and enhancing a sense of community
Young people look for accessible and low cost activities where they can go for appropriate recreational activities. Local public swimming pools is an important component for youth to be part of the community, exercise, have fun and be with friends. (See The Social Laps Encircling Public Pools)
Families todays come in many forms, single parent families, dual career families and recreational time and accessibility is a big issue. Local public swimming pools provide families with access to recreation that they can all enjoy as a family. Many families nad individuals cannot afford to have their own backyard pool. A local public swimming pool provides equity of access to all residents.
As noted in this report, research "Assessing the health impact of local amenities: a qualitative study of contrasting experiences of local swimming pool and leisure provision in two areas of Glasgow noted: "
Swimming pools are linked to health and well being, but few residents reported
regular use of pool for physical activity. Its use for social contact is linked to
relief of stress and isolation, improved mental health, and linked with local area
regeneration. The health benefits conveyed by swimming are probably more
closely linked to the facilitation of social contact and supervised facility for young
kids",
Local swimming pools provide opportunities and settings for social interaction, sharing, common interests and enhancing a sense of community
Young people look for accessible and low cost activities where they can go for appropriate recreational activities. Local public swimming pools is an important component for youth to be part of the community, exercise, have fun and be with friends. (See The Social Laps Encircling Public Pools)
Families todays come in many forms, single parent families, dual career families and recreational time and accessibility is a big issue. Local public swimming pools provide families with access to recreation that they can all enjoy as a family. Many families nad individuals cannot afford to have their own backyard pool. A local public swimming pool provides equity of access to all residents.
As noted in this report, research "Assessing the health impact of local amenities: a qualitative study of contrasting experiences of local swimming pool and leisure provision in two areas of Glasgow noted: "
Swimming pools are linked to health and well being, but few residents reported
regular use of pool for physical activity. Its use for social contact is linked to
relief of stress and isolation, improved mental health, and linked with local area
regeneration. The health benefits conveyed by swimming are probably more
closely linked to the facilitation of social contact and supervised facility for young
kids",
Guildford, Wentworthville and Merrylands may lose their swimming pools.
Holroyd councillors last month voted to investigate building a super facility at Hyland Park, Greystanes, which they said would better serve residents.
More coverage of this and feedback from others:
Super pool means last lap for Guildford, Merrylands and Wentworthville - Parramatta Advertiser 15 Oct 2010
Holroyd Council wants to close Wentworthville Pool - Streetcorner
Lets Save Wentworthville pool - Streetcorner Western Sydney
Holroyd City Council Responds to Wentworthville Pool Questions posed by the community via Streetcorner
Holroyd councillors last month voted to investigate building a super facility at Hyland Park, Greystanes, which they said would better serve residents.
More coverage of this and feedback from others:
Super pool means last lap for Guildford, Merrylands and Wentworthville - Parramatta Advertiser 15 Oct 2010
Holroyd Council wants to close Wentworthville Pool - Streetcorner
Lets Save Wentworthville pool - Streetcorner Western Sydney
Holroyd City Council Responds to Wentworthville Pool Questions posed by the community via Streetcorner
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