Ryan Mitchell Swimming Centre implements new restrictions following Port Augusta fight
A regional public pool has put restrictions on young patrons in the aftermath of a wave of teenage violence in the state’s Upper Spencer Gulf. See what’s changed.
Upper Spencer Gulf
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Restrictions for teenagers at a regional public pool have been put in place in an effort to improve safety following a wave of fights between school children in the Upper Spencer Gulf.
Ryan Mitchell Swimming Centre is one of several Port Augusta locations that have faced scrutiny this week after incidents of underage violence took place in close proximity.
Police attended the centre last Wednesday and arrested two 15-year-old girls for allegedly assaulting another girl of the same age.
Fights involving youths at Port Augusta High School and Port Augusta Woolworths have also attracted viral attention online this week and led to calls for further preventive action.
Ryan Mitchell Swimming Centre reopened to the public on February 6 last week after undergoing a $2.6 million dollar upgrade funded by the Port Augusta District Council.
An update to rules regarding teen supervision was released by the council yesterday.
“From Monday, February 13 the Ryan Mitchell Swim Centre will be increasing the age of unaccompanied children from 13 to 16 years of age for the remainder of the swimming season,” the statement read.
“All children under the age of 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
“Adults need to make sure that all children are clearly visible at all times and are in proximity to the person supervising them.
“This assists our staff and it also ensures the supervising adult can react instantly and reach the child quickly should anything occur.”
Feedback to the announcement online provided mixed opinions within the Port Augusta community, with some viewing the new rules as unfair.
“Punish all kids because we’re afraid to upset some young criminals. This world is soft as butter,” Ben Surman said.
Others felt the allocation of responsibility was appropriate given the circumstance.
“It’s a swim centre not a boxing ring,” Tania Bailey said.
“Staff are trained and paid to watch the water not referee fights or provide security.”
The victim in last week’s fight, a 15-year-old local girl, was taken to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The two 15-year-old suspects, one from Stirling North and the other from Port Augusta, were charged with assault.
Both alleged attackers will face the Port Augusta Magistrates Court later this year.
SAPOL reported that the purported victim and her alleged attackers are known to each other.
Port Augusta District Council and Ryan Mitchell Swimming Centre were contacted for further comment.
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