By Peter Douglas
The Olinda outdoor pool is enjoying unprecedented visitation levels, as local swimmers continue to rush through the turnstiles.
With six weeks still left during the summer open season, the 6000 mark is within reach, which would smash the previous best of 4310 that was set last year.
The pool officially reopened in late 2015 after undergoing significant repairs and refurbishment.
Much hype surrounded the reopening, but it appears the momentum has remained for summer 2016-’17.
President of the Olinda Community Pool Association, James Edge, attributed some of the success to more enjoyable swimming conditions.
“The solar blankets we’ve been using have been highly effective, raising the pool temperature by about five degrees,” he said.
“This has resulted in a much more enjoyable experience for swimmers, so people are staying longer and using the pool more frequently.
“In the past, the pool has been known as a bit of an ice bath, we’re hoping to remove the perception the Olinda pool is too cold.”
Mr Edge said the statistics had exceeded expectations, with no sign of second-year blues hitting the pool.
“This is easily our most successful year,” he said.
“From 2003 to 2013, the average annual visitation was 2467.
“We’re now sitting on just over 5000.”
Mr Edge said there had been greater use among groups undertaking swimming lessons, including local schools and among the community.
In addition, there continues to be a great base of support from volunteers, local businesses, schools and Yarra Ranges Council.
In a boost for hopes the committee will continue on for next year, Mr Edge said the cost per attendance rate had dropped an incredible 60 per cent since taking over.
Their efforts are a far cry from only a few years ago, when the pool had been in danger of permanent closure after cracks up to 1cm wide had been discovered running down the pool floor.
