Pool to get new manager

A new aquatics manager will be appointed by Gosford Council to take over the management of both Gosford and Woy Woy Olympic Pools.

The move by the council followed its decision not to renew the leases with the current lessees of both pools.

The aquatics manager will operate both pool complexes within a budget set by the council.

The council was told that the aquatics manager would provide a range of programs to meet the aquatic leisure needs of the community.

His objectives would include achieving both optimal economic use of the facilities and a positive financial outcome, as well as maintaining a safe, clean, friendly, customer-focussed environment.

Council has advertised the position with an allowance of $90,000, the amount paid previously to the lessees.

Recommendations on the appointment of the new aquatics manager are expected to be considered by the council mid-May.

To ensure a smooth change over of management, temporary employment will be offered to all existing employees at both facilities.

Mr Kevin Vickery, the lessee of the Woy Woy Memorial Olympic Pool for the past 32 years, said he will be assisting the new aquatics manager through the transition period after the lease is handed over.

Mr Vickery will stay on for the first three months.

He said: "We are quite happy with this and are giving council our full cooperation."

He said swimming teachers and pool staff would remain.

"We will all be making a combined effort to ensure the transition period is as comfortable as possible."

Mr Vickery has managed the pool since it was opened on October 18, 1968, by Prime Minister Mr John Gorton.

The pool originally cost $153,100.

Woy Woy citizens contributed $21,000 towards this.

Plans for the pool began in 1961 when a community committee offered to raise funds for the project.

Subsequently the Shire Council agreed to match the funds raised by the committee each year, until there were enough funds for the development to go ahead.

In 1966, the Council decided to make up the short fall for the project and build the pool on land acquired earlier for public recreation on Blackwall Rd.

In 1967, the Government provided a $20,000 grant for the project and the following year it was available for public use.

When the pool first opened it consisted of a 50m Olympic Pool and a wading pool.

There were no lawns, said Mr Vickery.

"I established lawns, trees and shrubs over the whole area at my expense."

The 50m grandstand was built through fund raising.

Council matched these funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Mr Vickery said the 25m pool was built at his instigation after applying for and receiving a Red Scheme grant in the 1970s.

Money gained through fund-raising was placed in a pool improvement fund and was used to complete the pool facilities when the grant ran out.

The 25m pool was later heated by a two million BTU furnace and a pool cover with a roller was installed.

It was the first 25m outdoor pool in NSW to be heated.

Funds for this project were also raised by donation, mainly by Woy Woy Amateur Swimming Club.

Later a grant for $24,000 from the State Government was secured to provide the 25m pool with a clubroom.

This room is now used by two clubs for club nights, carnivals and the Education Department's special swimming scheme teachers.

Mr Vickery said he paid for a pool entry, kiosk and an office costing $52,000.

In 1988, a further lease for 10 years was granted to Mr Vickery.

In this same year Mr Vickery sought Council approval to include a 12 metre by six metre teaching pool in the complex, complete with a heating and filtration system.

Approval was granted and the pool was constructed.

Since then, the heating system for the pools has been replaced, a 25m hydrotherapy pool was installed, as was a water slide and wading pool complete with children’s slippery dip and castle.

Mr Vickery said: "In consideration of my contributions, I applied for and was granted a two-year extension of my lease.

"This was to terminate at the end of December 2000 and was later extended to the end of the Easter school holidays, after an application by me to complete the summer season."

Mr Vickery’s lease will terminate on April 29.

Amanda Jackson, March 27