Darren Lange Swimming Academy and Toowoomba South member David Janetzki call for upgrades to Centenary Heights State High School amid safety concerns

A popular pool used more than 700 times a week is in need of urgent upgrades, says a Toowoomba swimming academy amid major safety concerns.

A well-known swimming instructor is calling for urgent upgrades to one of his rented pools, with reports of browned floors, leaky roofs, and students slipping every day.

Darren Lange Swimming Academy director Darren Lange said more than 700 private swimming lessons were conducted at the Centenary Heights State High School each week, however there were real safety concerns for those attending.

Despite the recent installation of marine carpet across the pool deck, Mr Lange said the change room roof leaked during heavy rain, as well as the office with technology ruined in the past from water damage.

“At least a few kids slip over every afternoon on the old tiled floors, and water gushes through the roof when it rains,” head swimming coach Taylah de Joux said.

“The pool flooring is brown, and you can’t see the black painted swimming lane lines anymore.”

Taylah de Joux, Darren Lange and Toowoomba South member David Janetzki discuss the need for renovations to the pool at Centenary Heights State High School. Friday, January 27, 2023. Picture: supplied

The pool has been rented by DLSA since it opened in 1999, and Mr Lange said an additional teaching pool would better cater to the community.

“A shallow, warmer teaching pool would mean we could service hundreds of additional families with teaching their babies and toddlers learn to swim,” he said.

Toowoomba South member David Janetzki has called on the Queensland Education Department to upgrade the ageing facility, with the safety aspect of “major concern”.

“We know that on average, nine children under the age of five drown in Queensland each year, and we know how important it is for the community to have access to quality swimming facilities,” he said.

“This pool is an important piece of community infrastructure that needs replacing.”

A Department of Education spokesperson said they were unaware of any concerns in regards to the flooring, and several projects had been carried out to upgrade and maintain the pool in recent years.

“Replacement of the edge tile and inner tile band, and painting of the pool has already been approved and prioritised to be undertaken as part of the 2022–23 Pool Maintenance Program,” the spokesperson said.

“The school is in the process of purchasing replacement pool covers. The roof over the main swimming area was replaced in two stages, with the final stage completed in early 2021.

“Annual allocations are provided by the department to support the school with maintaining the pool and surrounds.

“The department will continue to prioritise the school’s infrastructure needs, and provide support to tend to any maintenance issues.”

Mr Lange said although work had been conducted on the facility, it did not mean it was “100 per cent effective”.

Last year, the Toowoomba Regional Council spent about $800,000 to upgrade the Oakey Aquatic Centre.

The renovations included a new kiosk, family change rooms and additional facilities to improve access for people with disabilities.

Long-time resident and business owner Neville Cherry said he was blown away by the new facility and said it was vital for pools to remain up-to-date.

“With the amount of drownings that have been happening, it’s of upmost importance to have facilities where everyone can learn to swim.

“They’ve got to move with the times. We have a lot of foreign workers and students coming to our region, and a lot don't put as much importance on swimming … but we need to.”