Hours extended at Russell Island’s public pool ahead of swim season

A community east of Brisbane has won a longstanding battle to have their pool open seven days a week — but residents are scratching their heads over the council’s decision to close the centre at lunchtime during school term.

Redland City Council has announced extended hours for the Bay Islands Aquatic Centre on Russell Island.

RUSSELL Island residents have won a five-year battle to have their pool open every day of the week — but are disappointed it will be at times closed during the hottest time of the day.

After years of protest rallies and petitions, Redland City Council has agreed to extend the opening hours at the Bay Islands Aquatic Centre from 32 hours per week to 59 as part of a season-long trial beginning on September 21.

Russell Island residents ask: ‘Why won’t they open our pool?’

The public pool, which is owned by the Department of Education but managed by Redland City Council, was previously closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school term.

Russell Island residents protest the pool’s limited opening hours in February.

Mayor Karen Williams said as part of the trial, the council would also consider further upgrades to the centre and boosting maintenance of the grounds.

“Residents have provided valuable feedback to us on the need for longer hours and other pool improvements,” Cr Williams said.

“We have listened and we have responded to their calls.”

Russell Island residents protested to seek greater control over their local asset.

Spokeswoman for the action group Friends of Russell Island Swimming Pool Alison Laing said she was “disappointed” with the council’s decision to close the pool at lunchtime during school term.

“I am at a total loss to understand the closing at lunchtime,” Ms Laing said.

“On a beautiful day they will have to ask everyone to get out of the pool, go home and come back in three hours.

“We have higher needs than other communities, we can’t just drive to another pool.”

Ms Laing said the limited access had been a thorn in the side of the community for years, especially as island residents had paid $400,000, via a special levy, for the construction of the pool more than a decade ago.

As part of the extended hours, the pool will now be open from 6am until 5pm seven days a week.

But in the school term, the centre will be open 6am until noon then from 2pm until 6pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 9am until 5pm on the weekends.

Russell Island residents want answers over why their local pool is not open to the public like mainland pools.

The pool will operate more limited hours on Tuesday and Thursday, opening from 6am until 8.30am and again from 3pm until 6pm.

Cr Williams said the council planned to engage with the community on the longer term management of the pool.

“In line with a council resolution in March, council will also consult with the community on the longer term operation and management of the pool ahead of negotiating a new agreement with the pool owners, the Queensland Government,” she said.

The current agreement expires in April 2020.

Division 5 councillor Mark Edwards said the “interim arrangement” was a win for the community.

“All in all I think this is a good step by council but I’m interested to see feedback from the community,” he said.

“But more importantly the community has to use it (the extended hours).

“I’d hate to see these hours extended and then nobody’s there. Because then it makes it really difficult to argue for increased open times.”