People power: small SA community turns out to save town pool from closure
/A small community in South Australia's south-east has reacted swiftly and angrily after hearing their town pool may be razed to make way for an adventure playground or skate park, saying the closure would be a blow to the town.
Earlier this month, Wattle Range Council announced it would allocate $250,000 to build new recreational facilities in Nangwarry, rather than spend an estimated $400,000 to upgrade the town's ageing pool.
A storm of protest from Nangwarry and surrounding district residents met the decision and on Monday, a community rally was held for residents to show their support to save the facility from closure.
A Save the Nangwarry Pool online campaign has attracted more 1,000 people, which is more than double the town's population.
Nangwarry businessman Phillip Dohnt said he understood the huge costs involved in repairing and maintaining the pool, which was only open four months a year, and cost around $100,000 to open each year.
"The big picture is saving the pool," he said.
"This pool was built 40 years ago by the community and I understand there are issues with costs and we respect that, but I believe there is an opportunity for the community to work with the council and keep it going."
He said the community held a strong sentimental attachment to the pool, with generations of Nangwarry residents learning to swim there.
Mr Dohnt said if the pool closed, it would mean children from across the district would have to travel further afield to facilities at Penola and Millicent for swimming lessons, birthday parties, and to cool off during hot summer days.
"The kids are the future of the town," he said.
"It's for the children that we want the pool open."
Mr Dohnt said the council CEO and councillors had met with members of the community last week and he hoped there could be some kind of arrangement made to save the facility from closure.
"What we are asking for council is to give us six months, so we can reduce the costs of maintaining the pool, but at the same time the community have the advantage of using the pool in future years," he said.
Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi said council wanted to provide all-year-round recreational facilities with lower recurrent costs to the ratepayer than the ongoing costs of a pool.
Wattle Range Council is continuing consultation with the local community.