Darwin swim clubs warn council pool hikes could sink them

DARWIN swimming clubs have warned the City of Darwin they will be pushed to the brink of collapse if the 25 per cent price hike at council-run pools goes ahead.

Casuarina Storm Swimming Club swimmers compete in an open water event at the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Glenn Campbell

• Darwin council to increase pool entry fees

DARWIN swimming clubs have warned the City of Darwin they will be pushed to the brink of collapse if the 25 per cent price hike at council-run pools goes ahead.

The clubs have been told it is the first time in eight years there has been a price increase and it is necessary to meet running costs.

A Darwin council spokeswoman defended the rise, which will come into effect on July 1 at Parap, Casuarina and Nightcliff pools, saying the prices were still competitive and swimmers could save by buying multi-passes.

However, Casuarina Swimming Club’s Damian White said the increase was a double whammy for the families in his club, whose children range from eight to 18.

“It is quite different compared to the average person going for a swim,” he said.

“Swimming club members are at the pool up to eight times in a week so if the increase is a dollar a visit, this represents a minimum $7 extra fee in a week.

“We then as a club have to pay lane hire fees, so they can’t go swimming until the lane hire fees are paid, which is another 25 per cent cost on their admittance.”

Casuarina Swimming Club’s Damian White. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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Mr White said when you added together what parents paid for their children to enter the facility and the increased lane hire fees, it represented a 25 per cent rise on the club’s current bill of $38,000 a year.

“That is a lot of money for an amateur club of volunteers to have to fork out,” he said.

“We’d have to sell an extra 9500 sausages to cover the increase. I reckon most clubs would struggle really badly.”

Darwin Swimming Club president Adam Walo said their number crunching showed a fee increase would mean costs of $70,000 to the club for pool entry and lane hire.

Mr Walo said that figure did not include insurance or coaching fees.

Council’s plan is for entry and lane hire fees at all public swimming pools to be increased from July 1.

Council says by purchasing a swim club, seasonal pass or yearly entry pass, swimmers can continue to enjoy discounted entry fees.

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Adult yearly passes will increase from $380 to $475, while 30-swim passes will increase from $76 to $95.

One-time entry for children and concession card holders will increase from $2 to $2.50.