Petition circulates against pool closure

A petition has been circulated requesting that the Woy Woy pool not be closed in March while the new aquatic complex is being built.

During the week prior to Christmas, signatures were gathered at the pool, as well as at health clinics and retail stores on the Peninsula.

Pool user John Chivers said: "Within one week, we captured 1613 signatures.

"I believe that given sufficient time and a little bit of help, we could get that figure up to at least 10,000 without any shadow of a doubt.

"The 1613 signatures were totally unsolicited, and gathered at short notice.

"We want to make sure that the council is aware that we don't want it shut.

"Any tender going out has got to ensure that that the 25 metre complex remains open.

"We cannot do without a swimming complex here for 18 months," said Mr Chivers.

The pool users who collected the signatures said that the vast majority of residents they spoke to were under the impression that the indoor complex would remain open until replaced.

Gosford mayor Cr Robert Bell said that the matter was being considered.

Jonathan Reichard, January 7