UPDATED: Entry fees increased as government grapples with how to make pools pay

UPDATED 10:30 am, 9 October: The ACT Government says entry fees to its public swimming pools have been increased every year for the past few years.

Information on the government’s ‘Sport and Recreation’ website previously stated that these fees had not been increased since 2011, but this is now understood to be a few years old, and has been updated accordingly.

“Fees and charges for ACT’s public pools are reviewed annually in time for the commencement for the summer swim season in October,” the government now says.

“The majority of any annual increases will either be at or below the current Wage Price Index.”

8 October: Entry fees to all seven of Canberra’s public swimming pools are up for the first time in 12 years as the government investigates ways to get on top of growing costs.

From 1 October, a standard casual ticket to the Lakeside Leisure Centre in Tuggeranong, Gungahlin Leisure Centre, Canberra Olympic Pool in the city, Dickson Pool, Manuka Pool, Stromlo Leisure Centre or Active Leisure Centre in Erindale now costs $8.58 (up by 27 cents).

Concessional casual entry now costs $6.01, pensioner casual $4.29, family entry $21.88 and $2.86 for spectators.

Prices are also up across the board for swim memberships, full facility membership, aqua aerobic classes, and lane and pool hire for community groups.

Entry fees are set to increase every October for the next four years, in keeping with the Wage Price Index (subject to the Sport and Recreation Minister’s approval).

The ACT Government says the changes will ensure the “long-term sustainability of ACT Government pools” and bring them back into line with “operating costs, entry fees at private pools around Canberra, other pools around the country”.

“Under this new structure, pensioners will get a better discount than before, children under three and people with a disability will still be able to access all ACT Government pools for free, and discount lane and pool hire will still be available to community not-for-profit sport and recreation groups.”

The management and operational costs for public pools have nearly tripled since 2010, while some fees, like standard casual entry, have not changed since 2011.

An independent review of ACT public pool fees in 2016 identified they were “below the ACT and national average” for private and public pools.

The review found fees haven’t increased at the same rate as staff costs and the cost of utilities either, which make up over 70 per cent of pool facility expenses.

Recently released tender documents also reveal the government is looking for outside help to cut costs.

“The ACT Property Group (ACTPG) is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced consultant to undertake a feasibility study and provide a comprehensive costing report for future use of Territory-owned pools,” an entry on the ACT Tenders website reads.

A spokesperson for the ACT Government told Region the tender will specifically “inform decision making regarding dive-pool facilities” for the public pools, including the long-awaited one at Stromlo Leisure Centre (SLC).

It’s clear ACT pools are struggling to pay for themselves.

In the past 12 months, YMCA NSW (The Y) has walked away from the Gungahlin, Civic, Stromlo and Tuggeranong pools, and Chris Graham and Shay Kennedy exited their contract for Dickson Aquatic Centre a year ahead of the expiry date after 26 years in the job.

Former Manuka Pool manager John Taverner has previously told Region, “there have been a lot of challenges” recently.

“Insurance premiums have gone up, running costs have gone up,” he said.

“There’s also a lot of maintenance on these pools. It’s never been a very profitable business. You have to have a great summer and crowds every day to make a lot of profit.”

Last week, Belgravia Leisure, a Victoria-based company that currently manages more than 160 pools across Australia and New Zealand, signed a $13-million deal with the ACT Government to manage the Civic, Gungahlin, Stromlo, Tuggeranong and Dickson pools.

The government assured Canberrans there would be “minimal disruption to pool and gym services”, and current staff would be given the option to stay on.

“This appointment is a promising step to providing certainty for both patrons and current staff.”

Josh Rynehart from the ACT Property Group subsequently told ABC Radio the Civic and Gungahlin sites will close temporarily for repairs ahead of summer.

“As part of the transition period, we are taking the opportunity to do some general maintenance at Civic and Gungahlin, so they’ll both be closed for short periods, probably for 48 hours before we get into the season, to do some minor works and assessments there,” he said.

Belgravia Leisure has flagged a “range of new programs and services … will be rolled out once we have transitioned”.

“Our priority at the moment is to ensure we have a smooth transition for staff and customers with minimal impact as we take over each site,” Head of Communications Kristy Brown said.

“The fees and charges currently being charged will remain.”

Belgravia Leisure previously managed the Tuggeranong and Civic pools from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2012.

Combined, the pools cost the taxpayer nearly $17 million per year, including repairs and maintenance, and there are more than 1 million visits annually.