Petition to Merri-bek Council to increase Coburg Leisure Centre lap pool temperature. 

Please sign this petition to support those who need Coburg Leisure Centre lap pool to be warmer for rehabilitation exercises and health.

The Coburg Leisure Centre indoor lap pool is too cold for a significant portion of their patrons. People with disabilities, older adults, and anyone with injuries or chronic illnesses - anyone less physically able - use the pool for rehabilitation and exercise, and are finding that the temperature of the pool prevents them from completing their exercise effectively. For over a year, patrons have been contacting the Centre and the local council to voice their concerns and have been dismissed, on the basis that lap swimmers want the pool to be cooler. This is unacceptable. 

The lap pool needs to be at least 32 degrees in consideration of those less physically able. For some, the pool is the only option for exercise, rehabilitation and the maintenance of overall health. Water rehabilitation exercises can’t be done in cooler temperatures, muscles and joints need warmth and support. And as some people are just walking up and down the pool, they are not warming up like a swimmer, because they are not physically able to do such vigorous exercise.

Reservoir Leisure Centre has a hydrotherapy pool, which is 34 degrees, but this is inaccessible to most patrons of the Coburg Leisure Centre. Similarly, the indoor lap pool at Brunswick Baths is 32 degrees, which would be ideal. Many people, however, especially older adults and less physically able have limitations on their ability to travel, so Coburg Leisure Centre, which is usually only about 29 degrees, is their only option. And yet, their needs are not being met by the pool. 

While lap swimmers may prefer the pool to be cooler, at Coburg Leisure Centre there is no alternative option for those less physically able. Surely, the pool should cater towards those users, rather than those who could more easily access a different pool, especially when such a significant proportion of pool users are older adults or less physically able. There is a kids’ pool at Coburg, which is 32 degrees, but this is not deep enough for most adult users.

A publicly-funded local government organisation should cater to the less physically able in the community. The people who need the lap pool to be warm are being ignored while those who simply want it to be cool, and who could more easily travel to other centres if they are dissatisfied, are being privileged. 

Please sign this petition to support those in need of this change,

Thank you.