Fun and games as Foster pool fights to stay afloat

THE Foster Pool Committee is hoping for some good weather for the Hawaiian Luau to be held at the pool this Saturday, January 11, and urging the community to support what promises to be a fun-filled occasion.

The monster inflatable will be up, and there will be a BBQ and lots of games in which to participate. While the pool will be open from 11am to 6pm as usual, the luau party and BBQ will start at 1pm.

“We would love to see lots of people there,” said the president of the pool committee, Lisa Barham-Lomax. “As you probably know, the pool is under review and the number of people using the pool is a big factor in the pool’s ongoing viability.

“The committee has launched two new exciting ventures over the past few weeks. The Foster Pool is now on Facebook, so ‘like’ us and see updates about when the pool is open and read about upcoming special events. We have also launched an online survey to gather some information from the community about the pool. We would love to hear what you think about our pool. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5NZFL2F to do the survey – or fill out the survey inside your copy of ‘The Mirror.’ Let your children do the survey as well. We would like to know what younger people like about the pool, too.”

Pool committee treasurer Ian Lyon is also urging the community to support the pool.

“It will take considerable community input to avoid this being the last summer that Foster ever has a pool,” he warned in a letter to members of the Foster Chamber of Commerce.

“Many in the community believe that with the steady growth of Foster, particularly in the retirement demographic, a more appropriate and forward-thinking strategy for the pool would be to ultimately upgrade to a contemporary standard to greatly increase its benefit and usage by a wider range of the community, rather than removing the existing infrastructure with the associated social and financial cost of doing so.

“The Foster Pool committee is seeking support from community groups and individuals in researching and collating data to present to Council to demonstrate that closure of the Foster Pool would be against the wishes of the community and not in the best interests of Foster’s future. Shire councils should be looking to maintain and enhance existing community infrastructure and services – not reducing existing facilities and diminishing Foster’s appeal to the local community, prospective residents and tourists.

“We would welcome the support of the Foster Chamber of Commerce and any of its members. Letters of support and any offers of assistance in data collation would be greatly appreciated. Our first objective is to have as many people as possible complete an online survey that will assist in collating general community views.”

After the Hawaiian Luau, the next big event at Foster Pool will be Music by the Pool on February 15. “It was a brilliant night last year, so save the date!” said Lisa. “We are also looking forward to a water volleyball competition, starting at the pool on January 16. Anyone interested in registering a team should call 5682 2047.”

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