THE City of Greater Bendigo will wear additional costs to open swimming facilities at the $32.4-million Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre.
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But the city could not justify the expense of opening the three pools at the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre before COVID-19 restrictions are further eased.
Swimming and health club facilities at Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre are set to re-open on Monday.
Gym facilities at the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre will also open that day, but the pools will remain closed "until operations are viable, with more patron access allowable through restrictions."
"In the meantime, we will continue to undertake maintenance works at the centre and we look forward to opening again soon," the city said on social media.
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Asked earlier this month when both venues would re-open, Bendigo active and healthy lifestyles manager Lincoln Fitzgerald expected it would not be until the pools, gyms and fitness classes were all able to operate.
Restriction relaxations allowed for pools to open from June 1.
Asked this week about further delays, Mr Fitzgerald said determining the suitability of reopening aquatic areas was very difficult when compared with gyms and program rooms only.
"This was due to the pool operating costs - heating, treating, cleaning and supervising - and the limited number of people who can attend at any one time," he said.
He said the city had worked with Gurri Wanyarra operator Belgravia Leisure to maximise access for the community and limit expenses.
"As a result, the city made a decision to provide this service despite an increased subsidy/cost to the council in recognition of the important role warm water facilities play for people's health," Mr Fitzgerald said.
"In addition to the social and economic considerations, additional time was taken to reopen the facility for logistical reasons.
"That is, to enable reheating of the water, which can only be increased by two degrees per day to avoid damage to the aquatic tiles, and to allow sufficient notice/standing up of staff."
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Mr Fitzgerald said the decision to re-open the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre without the pools was to enable the community to access health and wellbeing services.
He said the cost to operate the gym area was relatively low compared to the aquatic area.
"Due to the small size of the pool area of Peter Krenz Leisure Centre and the high operating cost to heat and supervise the pool hall, the city's additional subsidy for this facility would be significantly higher than during normal operations," Mr Fitzgerald said.
"To enable reopening, significantly increased numbers of attendees would need to be permitted to enable entry fees to offset the running costs."
He said the city was replacing the heat pump for the toddler and intermediate swimming pools while the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre was closed.
"This is in addition to the flooring, which has been completed and repainting and minor improvements to the pool amenities," Mr Lincoln said.
Bookings will be required to access facilities at both venues and numbers will be limited.
The City of Greater Bendigo has encouraged people to contact the venues or visit their respective websites for more information or to book.