Residents in the neighborhood remain undeterred from pursuing ways to save their pool’s future and are searching for alternative funding solutions so over 50 years of summer fun don’t abruptly come to an end.
As more Sydneysiders began viewing the surf coast as recreational assets, ocean pools offered safe swimming opportunities. Some were built by locals while others by council. Even though often the waters in these pools were colder than expected, they provided an alternative bathing spot away from overcrowded beaches while offering greater protection from sharks.
As such, they were immensely popular and frequently utilized by women, children, and the elderly – though due to prevailing British notions of respectability the gender-segregated bathing policy was enforced, requiring men and women to bathe at different times (Bondi Beach or Bronte for instance) or pools (Manly or Shelly for instance).
Urban sprawl has made finding an accessible swimming spot increasingly challenging, as more suburbs merge together into closer proximity. According to Scarr, community pools have steadily been declining over time due to a lack of government funding and funding cuts have accelerated Sydney’s pool decline even more rapidly in recent years. “Over 10 years, Sydney’s pool network has witnessed an unprecedented reduction in pools as well as decreased public funding,” according to Scarr.
Scarr and his colleague Michael Easton have taken steps to address this problem by lobbying government for a funding model designed to enhance suburban community pools. Scarr has been swimming laps at over 70 different suburban pools to identify what makes each special; so far 68 have been visited; it would be hard for him to select his favourite!
Idealistically, community pools should operate similar to public libraries or parks: free and accessible to all. Unfortunately, however, not everyone supports the idea; when Easton brings up this subject with people they either roll their eyes or simply don’t understand.
Finding the ideal pool builder can be challenging, so be sure to request a detailed quote prior to beginning work and read any warranties they offer carefully. Make sure that your builder has sufficient insurance to cover any repairs needed during construction, and request to view their past works – this will give you an idea of their quality and how they operate. As part of your search for the ideal contractor, look for one who belongs to the Home Building Compensation Fund and guarantees against defects in workmanship. This provides essential protection for you and your family; any builder without this coverage should not be hired; certified builders can be found through visiting Australian Pool & Spa Association website.