A report covering a potential increase in the opening times of the Bacchus Marsh and Ballan outdoor pools was tabled at Moorabool’s council meeting this month.
The report was prepared by officers in response to an urgent business item raised at the December 4 council meeting last year.
The item requested information on the viability of changing the opening times of these pools to allow extra hours on Thursdays and Fridays during school terms when the temperature reaches 23 degrees Celsius by 10am.
Currently, on Thursdays and Fridays, these outdoor pools are open from 3.30–7pm if temperatures are forecasted to reach 23 degrees Celsius by 10am – as per other week days.
According to Moorabool officers, the proposed change would result in up to 18 additional sessions per pool during the pool season if all available Thursdays and Fridays are forecast to reach the temperature threshold.
The report stated that based on current operating costs, officers identified the budget impact would be an increase of about $1000 a day per pool, requiring an additional budget of $36,000 for a possible expansion of operating hours.
Should the council decide proceed with the proposed increased opening hours at the Ballan and Bacchus Marsh outdoor pools, officers proposed that a two-year trial period is applied to align with the next policy review date in 2027
