Caulfield Grammar School’s new aquatic centre unfit for divers
Caulfield Grammar School spent tens of millions of dollars on a lavish new aquatic and wellbeing centre — complete with an Olympic-sized pool and meditation studio. But now experts have been called in over a bungle that has left divers high and dry.
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A major bungle has left the Olympic-size pool in Caulfield Grammar School’s lavish $25 million aquatic centre too shallow for divers to use.
The Aquatic and Wellbeing Centre, which includes a yoga, pilates and meditation studio, opened last month at the school’s Caulfield campus.
But a monumental flaw means the diving area of the pool doesn’t meet size requirements needed to ensure a safe landing.
The pool has a movable floor which can be raised and lowered to adjust the water depth to cater for different sports, including competition swimming, water polo and diving.
The Leader understands the depth of the section used for diving does not extend far enough and does not meet Life Saving Victoria’s safety standards.
Several parents and people connected to the school have confirmed the fiasco.
Following the Leader’s inquiry, the principal Ashleigh Martin sent an email to parents confirming “an issue relating to the diving area … was under review”.
“A dedicated team is receiving expert advice as we work to a suitable resolution regarding the pool’s dive bowl dimensions,” he said.
“We are treating this matter as a priority and we are not prepared to compromise student and community safety.”
Mr Martin said the school was compliant to FINA (International Swimming Federation) standards and was being used by swimmers.
One parent, who did not want to be named, said students were still able to use the pool for swimming but the diving team was training and competing at Carnegie Pool and Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
“It’s apparently too short by such a small amount,” the parent said.
“I don’t think it can be fixed, I mean how would you do it?
“Surely, they’d have to dig up the whole thing and start again to fix something like that.”
A Life Saving Victoria spokesperson confirmed parts of the pool did not meet design standards.
“Life Saving Victoria was engaged by Caulfield Grammar School’s aquatic facility architects to undertake … (a final assessment) in January 2018,” the spokesperson said.
“Life Saving Victoria did not advise that all components of the diving facility were compliant.”
Last year the Caulfield Grammarians Association sent emails out to current and past students, offering them $1500 naming rights on the 273 seats at the new state-of-the-art pool, which connects to the Lindsay Thompson Sports Centre, named for the former Victorian premier who attended the school.
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Caulfield Grammar boasts a hugely successful aquatic program, with both the boys and girls swimming teams taking out the Australian Public Schools Championship last year and the girls’ diving team scoring 2nd place.
Olympic gold medallist Mack Horton attended the school between 2000 and 2014.
Caulfield Grammar has not responded to the Leader’s questions.
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