Petition draws attention to Proserpine swimming pool issues

Whitsunday community members are putting the pressure on their council to fix a long-neglected public facility.

Proserpine State School students are among the community members that use the public pool for swimming lessons. Photo Rory Sheavils / The Guardian.

Proserpine swimmers are sick of diving into a cold public pool and they are asking the council to do something about it.

Seventy-nine people have signed a petition asking Whitsunday Regional Council to do something “to enable the general community to enjoy this facility with an even water temperature throughout the year”.

“Last year the pool heater and covers were not operating – we swam all year in cold water,” the preamble reads.

“This year, the covers have been repaired but the heater is still not operational,” it continues.

The council will receive the petition on Wednesday, however a council officer’s report on the matter states that this is a “known issue which needs to be addressed through the budget process”.

The officer’s recommendation is to “advise the principal petition that replacement of the heater has been proposed in council’s next year’s budget.”

The Olympic-sized pool is home to the Whitsunday Swimming Club and the Whitsunday Warriors – Masters.