Don’t fool with the pool

By Bridget Brady
A CASEY RACE member says children splashing about in the warm water exercise pool are interrupting those who are trying to use it for its intended purpose.
Cranbourne resident Barry George said he had to dodge and weave past children who used the pool for fun when he tried to do his exercises.
“I’m not against the kids being in the pool so long as we are still able to do what we paid for,” Mr George said.
“Providing the kids are there for exercise that’s fine. Jumping off the edge and splashing … to me that’s not exercise.”
But the council’s manager of arts and leisure Robyn Bowen said children were allowed in the warm water exercise pool and that there was some confusion that it was a hydrotherapy pool.
“The warm water exercise pool should not be described as a hydrotherapy pool as it creates the impression that it is restricted to a particular function, which is not the case,” Ms Bowen said.
But Mr George said the name of the pool did not change the fact it was an exercise pool.“They can call it whatever they like. But I walked out in disgust the other day. I only want what I signed up for and what I paid for.
“We don’t want to stop the kids from having fun. But not in this particular pool.”
Mr George said his wife had a hip injury and was at risk of being knocked by children who used the pool.
“We’re not against the kids at all. I’m all for them having a good time but not at the expense of other people when they have joined.”
Ms Bowen said children under the age of 16 were able to use the pool under the direct supervision of their parent or guardian. She said the warm water pool did not technically meet the requirements of a hydrotherapy pool.