Decision details

Moved by Councillor Phelps, seconded by Councillor Kok –

It is resolved that –

(A)      Council note:

(i)         the Covid-19 pandemic has required a review of how many City-owned public facilities such as libraries, community centres and pools are operated;

(ii)        as the weather begins to warm, more and more constituents will be looking to use City-owned pools to cool off;

(iii)      currently, there does not exist a universal online booking system for all City-owned public pools, nor does there exist a time limit for patrons using the pool, enabling some to spend an entire day using the facilities, while others only stay for an hour or less; and

(iv)      it is important that the City is able to provide everyone with fair and equal access to City-owned facilities, particularly when the demand for them increases; and

(B)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         investigate the possibility of implementing an online booking system for patrons looking to access City-owned pools;

(ii)        investigate possible options for enforcing a time limit for patrons using the pool facilities so that there can be fair and equitable access to our pools for all; and

(iii)      report back to Councillors via the CEO Update.

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Note – the motion above was not carried. The resolution as below was carried –

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         the Covid-19 pandemic has required a review of how many City-owned public facilities such as libraries, community centres and pools are operated;

(ii)        as the weather begins to warm, more and more constituents will be looking to use City-owned pools to cool off;

(iii)      it is important that the City is able to provide everyone with fair and equal access to City-owned facilities, particularly when the demand for them increases;

(iv)      the City is reviewing its facilities’ Covid-19 Safety Plan to give people better access to our pools;

(v)       the City is investigating whether we need to implement a booking system;

(vi)      from 24 to 25 October 2020 the maximum number of swimmers per lane will increase to 10 for a fifty-metre lane, and five for a 25-metre lane;

(vii)     this will allow 80 swimmers in the water for general lap swimming;

(viii)    a ‘free play/recreation’ lane for families will be also introduced from this time;

(ix)      as of December, weekend operating hours will be extended from a 4pm close to 7pm through daylight saving;

(x)       with the increased capacity, it is expected that a booking system with time limits will not be required; and

(xi)      if demand still exceeds increased capacity, Belgravia Leisure will continue to work to having a booking option with time limits ready for the summer; and

(B)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(iv)      investigate the possibility of implementing an booking system for patrons looking to access City-owned pools if demand exceeds capacity;

(v)       investigate possible options for enforcing a time limit for patrons using the pool facilities if required, so that there can be fair and equitable access to our pools for all; and

(vi)      report back to Councillors via the CEO Update.

The motion, as varied by consent, was carried unanimously.

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