Pool pumps to reduce carbon footprint
The Woodstock community swimming pool has recently been fitted with solar pumps to reduce costs and minimise the facilities carbon footprint.
The swimming pool, which was first opened in 1986 after much community fundraising, is a popular destination for families in the village and surrounding areas.
Robynne Dresser and Natalie Barnes are part of the Woodstock Community Pool Committee and help to keep it in good condition.
“This season we went solar, next year we need to purchase an automatic chlorinator and it is also almost time to re-glass the pool,” Mrs Dresser said.
The projects are expensive but the committee says with the help of the pool trust and the community they will get the job done.
“We need the automatic chlorinator to meet up with new legislation, it will cost around $14000 to put in,” Mrs Dresser said.
“But it will make things easier for us, we wont need to come and manually chlorinate the pool every day,’ said Mrs Barnes.
Members of the committee take turns in mowing the lawn, keeping the pool clean and chlorinated and ensuring the pools finances are properly managed.
“It is a big job, but the kids help as much as they can, and they love it,” Mrs Dresser said.
The Woodstock community pool receives support, donations and in kind sponsorship from local businesses.
“The council gives us a $4000 grant every year we apply; we also get great deals and advice on chlorine from the team at Lachlan Fertilizers rural.
“The team at Hutcheon & Peerce has also helped us, we purchased a push mower from them recently and they gave us a really good price,” Mrs Dresser said.
The Woodstock Bowling Club also supports the pool, and donated the land for the pool to be developed on back in 1986.
There is no lifesaver at the pool which means, for insurance reasons, that there must be somebody with a valid first aid certificate at the pool if there are swimmers.
“We sell keys as membership to the pool, although each person who holds a key must have their first aid certificate, and be at the pool while their key is being used,” Mrs Barnes Explained.
“If kids whose parents don’t have keys want to come in it is up to the key holder to let them in and take over the duty of care, the kids then put some money in the honesty box, but have to leave when the person with a first aid certificate leaves,” she said.
Every year more than 20 families purchase a key for the pool. Keys cost $140 per season and are available from members of the committee.
Woodstock public school has access to the swimming pool when deemed appropriate.
The facilities at the swimming pool include male and female change rooms, a barbecue, foosball table, baby pool, large fiberglass pool and picnic tables.
“We love our pool and we are proud of it, and the fact that it is one of the only local pools which is able to independently support itsself,” Mrs Barnes said.
“We are very thankful for the committee who raised the money to build it in 1986 and to everyone who has helped support it since.”
For more information contact Robynne Dresser on 0427 100 910.
SRC: http://www.cowraguardian.com.au/story/1941063/pool-pumps-to-reduce-carbon-footprint/?cs=593