Following the confirmation by Clarence Valley Council (CVC) to postpone the reopening of the Grafton Olympic Pool, citing major safety concerns, for the 2022/23 season, and their most recent announcement to commit $3.8 million to the redevelopment of the site, the Clarence Valley Independent invited the community to share their opinions.
Emma Pritchard
Kaylene Studley: My husband and I are visiting the Clarence Valley with our grandchildren for the holidays, and we were flabbergasted when we learned the pool isn’t open. Our grandchildren are too scared to swim in the ocean, we can’t let them swim in the river because it’s too dirty due to the recent rain, and we don’t think the pool in South Grafton, which is quite small and also heated according to what we’ve been told, is a good place to take a six-year-old, a seven-year-old, and a nine-year old for a swim just for fun, because they’ll be too noisy and will most likely end up disturbing other people. I think it’s very disappointing, especially for a place like the Clarence Valley which has quite a big population, including lots of families and young children. Had we known it was going to be closed, we probably wouldn’t have come to Grafton.
Jillian Lamer: If the pool is over 60 years old and has reached the end of its lifespan, why did council not act sooner, or do more repairs in previous years to prevent the site from falling into a state of serious disrepair? If council are closing the pool due to safety concerns, why were these safety concerns not identified and addressed sooner? The whole community is suffering.
Kellett McDonnell: It’s pretty devastating that the pool will be closed for the rest of the year, and maybe even for the next two or three years, but I think it’s the only thing that could be done. If there’s a problem with the land not being safe, then the pool can’t re-open. It’s that simple. I don’t know why there are so many people complaining about the pool not being re-opened if it’s staying closed as a way of keeping them safe.
Joseph Murray: It’s complete shambles. We’re all going to suffer through a boiling hot summer because we have no pool in Grafton. It’s no good council recommending people use other pools in Maclean or South Grafton because they aren’t equipped to handle the influx, and South Grafton pool is heated and better suited for those who need it for relaxation or physiotherapy, not recreational activities or swimming carnivals.
Tegan Pearce: If the pool has to be closed for the time being due to legitimate safety concerns, I don’t understand how so many people can be angry at the council when all they’re doing is acting in their best interests.
Taya Pike: My concern is where will kids go to learn to swim? The demand on other pools in South Grafton and Maclean will be so high, and they don’t have the facilities to accommodate the increase in numbers. It’s a major concern for the community.
Iain Brennen: If council have deemed the location to be unsafe, and keeping it closed is the best option, then everyone just has to accept that.