Five-year-old Sam Davidson of Great Western is pictured enjoying a day in the outdoor pool at the Stawell Leisure Complex. Picture: KERRI KINGSTON
STAWELL - New family-friendly opening hours at the Stawell Leisure Complex will allow residents to escape from the heat this summer.
With temperatures set to soar in the coming months, the facility will now be open later on Friday nights and weekends.
From Monday to Friday, the pool will be open to the public between 6am and 9am, and between 1pm and 7pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, it will operate between 1pm and 7pm.
The pool may also stay open later, up until 8pm, if the temperature is above 30 degrees.
Northern Grampians Shire Council's Acting Manager Community Sustainability, Tony Dark, said the hours had been adjusted in response to public demand.
"We found that use of the pool facilities during the morning was quite low, but there were a lot of people arriving in the late afternoon after work, school and sporting activities," he said.
"It made much more sense to stay open later and give people that work an opportunity to enjoy a swim and some time with their families at the pool.
"Reducing the morning opening hours in order to extend the evening hours has also enabled us to keep costs down."
To complement the Complex's family focus, barbecue facilities are provided free of charge.
"It means families can come to the pool and cool off and enjoy some tea while they are here," Mr Dark said.
Hours of operation may change at the discretion of management depending on weather conditions and patronage. For more information visit www.ngshire.vic.gov.au
