The 2021-2022 Foster pool season starts at 12 noon this Saturday December 11.
DIG out your bathers, boardies, togs or cossies ready to swim and play again in Foster’s public pools in Reserve Street when the 2021-2022 season starts from 12 noon this Saturday November 11.
Clear blue water, smoothly-mown green lawns and a brand-new free gas barbecue installed under the steel-roofed sun shelter are ready to welcome the return of serious and recreational swimmers, family groups, and picnickers alike.
An inflatable obstacle course will be set up in the 25-metre pool on opening day to challenge and more than likely dampen those who attempt to cover it, and is guaranteed to entertain any onlookers, who may not necessarily stay quite dry!
With the full support of the community volunteer-based Foster Swimming Pool Association Inc., both the larger pool and the paddling pool are managed by the YMCA on behalf of the South Gippsland Shire Council.
The YMCA also runs the municipality’s other outdoor pools at Mirboo North, Korumburra, and Poowong, as well as the indoor South Gippsland SPLASH at Leongatha.
Association president Ian Lyon said the new barbecue in the Foster pools’ grounds was funded using part of a $10,000 grant received through the Federal Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources’ Stronger Communities Program.
“We’re inviting pool-users to bring some chops and snags, a loaf of bread, and perhaps a bit of salad, and to cook their own lunch or dinner, and to buy their dessert and snacks at our kiosk,” he said.
“The main idea behind the barbecue is to encourage people to stay here by the cool of the pool for longer each time they visit, right through until the end of the season on Monday March 14, 2022.”
The barbecue itself features an easy-to-clean stainless steel hotplate and the gas is provided free of charge.
Ian said the Association plans to spend the balance of the Stronger Communities grant on more outdoor furniture to supplement the pool reserve’s existing timber tables and bench seats.
YMCA Foster pool team leader Harley Morris is a qualified life guard and certificated first-aider and is responsible for maintaining the pools’ water quality and filtration, too.
He also monitors the pools’ water temperature and adjusts the flow of water through their solar-powered water heating system to keep it between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius.
“Water that stays at an average 28 degrees is ideal for lap swimmers, and for people who just want to have fun and feel refreshed on a hot day,” Harley said.
“The sun shelter beside the pools has a dual purpose and its other job is to hold up the 2000 square metres of solar matting that generates the heat.”
Ian said the main Foster pool is open for lap swimming regardless of the weather for most of the season between 7 am and 9 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays except on public holidays.
Throughout January lap swimming is available five mornings a week from 7 am to 9 am between Monday and Friday.
The Foster pool’s other operating days are determined by a forecasted minimum air temperature of 25 degrees at Leongatha by 6 pm the day prior.
The pool will be open on weekdays between 3 pm and 7 pm, and on weekends and school holidays from 12 noon to 7 pm on the days when the Bureau of Meteorology’s website indicates will be 25 degrees or higher the night before.
Foster Outdoor Pool will stay open until 8.30 pm if the forecast maximum temperature for Leongatha is listed as over 35 degrees on the Bureau of Meteorology website at 6 pm the day prior.
Casual visits to the Foster pool are priced as follows:
- Adult $5.90
- Concession/ child $4.80
- School single entry $4.30
- Family $18.50
- Spectator $1.00
- Season pass fees are:
- Adult $86.00
- Concession/ child $70.00
- Family $168.00
Season pass holders gain access to all South Gippsland outdoor pools, and on days when the outdoors pools are not open due to cooler weather, season pass holders may swim at South Gippsland SPLASH in Leongatha.
For more information about the Foster Outdoor Pool ring 5682 2047
or email [email protected]
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