POOL PROFESSIONAL: The Kootingal Pool’s new supervisor, Jill Fenn. Photo: Robert Chappel 051012RCC04
HUNDREDS of Tamworth people took advantage of the city’s first pool to open for summer at the weekend as temperatures soared into the 30s.
About 600 people were thought to have visited Tamworth South and West Memorial Pool, better known as Scully Park Pool, on Saturday alone.
Tamworth’s other pool, the Olympic Pool on the corner of Kable Ave and Bridge St, will open today along with the district’s four pools at Barraba, Manilla, Kootingal and Nundle.
The Scully Park pool has been open since September 24 because of its gas heating system, which keeps the water at a comfortable 25 degrees.
Senior pool attendant Ray Smith said the warm weather meant the pool was very popular at the weekend and since opening two weeks ago, it had been used a lot.
“All the swimming clubs are back in action and there are a lot of people training in the mornings and afternoon again,” Mr Smith said.
All the district’s pools have opened in time for the new school term and Learn-to-Swim programs.
The program will be run at the Barraba, Kootingal and Manilla pools for the first time since being held at Tamworth’s pools last year.
Tamworth Regional Council technical officer pools Gary Johnson said the program was developed by Royal Life Saving and was traditionally delivered in Tamworth by the Department of Sport and Recreation.
“Last season, council took over running of the program and with the help of the department, it was successful in Tamworth last season and will now be extended to other pools in the region,” he said.
With the new swimming season also comes the appointment of two new pool supervisors.
Jill Fenn, former Barraba pool supervisor, will begin at Kootingal while Shaun Wilson will begin at Barraba.
Mrs Fenn looked after her old pool for 15 years and took up her new role in September, after it became vacant when Doug Luckie retired.
She said she never thought she would leave Barraba but decided to move to Tamworth to become closer to her two sons.
Mrs Fenn is working on a five- year improvement plan for the pool which will include making it more child-friendly.
Tamworth council has 36 qualified lifeguards working at its six pools for the season.