Safer Floors For SwimmersThe Wonthaggi Aquatic Centre was closed on Tuesday (18 December) and Wednesday (19 December) this week for a further upgrade, this time to the changeroom floors. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 20th December 2001 - Back to News The Wonthaggi Aquatic Centre was closed on Tuesday (18 December) and Wednesday (19 December) this week for a further upgrade, this time to the changeroom floors.
"We have had a terrific response to our renovations since re-opening in October," said Kelly Wearne, Centre Manager. "However, some people have been concerned about slipping on the changeroom floors, despite the fact the floors had been resurfaced to the correct safety standard during the upgrade."
Kelly explained that the YMCA and Council discussed the feedback from patrons about the changeroom floors and decided the best course of action would be a further resurfacing.
Both the YMCA and Council would have preferred the works to be undertaken while the Centre was closed over Christmas. However, due to the contractor’s commitments the only time the resurfacing could take place was on the 18 & 19 December or in February 2002.
"Council and the YMCA agreed that in the interests of public safety it was preferable to close the pool at short notice than wait until February to have the floors resurfaced," said Kelly.
Kelly explained that Centre staff contacted as many user groups and members as possible to inform them of the closure.
"We were really pleased to find that the public was very supportive of the floor upgrade," said Kelly. "Some people commented that they had been taking extra care in the change rooms since the pool reopened because they were worried about slipping."
"People were also pleased to learn that their concerns had been acted upon and understood that the inconvenience of closing the pool was worth it to get the problem fixed," she said.
The male and female change room floors were laid with a coarser top surface, which will provide more grip.
"It’s a fine balance to achieve just the right amount of roughness to the floors so that they provide grip without being too rough or sharp on bare feet," said Kelly.
The Aquatic Centre reopened on Thursday 20 December.
Operating hours over Christmas:
Monday 24 December, 6am-12noon
Closed Tuesday 25 December until Wednesday 2 January.
Aqua Mover Classes will resume from 2 January, with one class only at 2pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Classes will return to normal times as of Monday 28 January.
Fitness classes will resume on Monday 7 January.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: basscoastshire@gippslander.com
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