Labor candidate for Windermere Geoff Lyons has raised concerns over the continued closure over the Glen Dhu Pool.
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Originally, the pool was closed last year due to COVID restrictions but the pool has remained out of operation in the opening months of 2021.
Labor candidate Geoff Lyons, who is running in the upcoming Legislative Council election, criticised the state government for not having the "wit" to fix the pool.
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"The problem has been ... that the heaters in the pool are packed in and the government haven't got the wit to actually fix the heaters," he said.
"I just think it is very important to keep this pool open ... if you haven't got the money, the learn to swim program is vital."
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A Department of Education spokesperson confirmed the pool had remained closed due to "major structural issues" as well as a heating issue.
"The 50 year old Glen Dhu pool has been closed since March 2020 due to COVID restrictions, the failure of the pools' heating system and other major structural issues which have also been identified," the spokesperson said.
"Students were relocated to pools close by to participate in the Swimming and Water Safety Program."
It is believed that those facilities have the capacity to handle the relocated students and the program will continue as normal.
Mr Lyons was concerned that the closure would limit children's access to the learn to swim program and impede their swimming ability.
It's going to mean that kids miss out and so some kids will end up being non-swimmers as adults.
- Geoff Lyons
The Glen Dhu pool is over 50 years old and other nearby facilities including the Launceston Aquatic Centre and The Launceston Church Grammar Pool have overtaken it as the best in the area.
Due to the Glen Dhu Pool being outdoors, meaning it is closed in terms 2 and 3, plus with limited pool depth, the Department of Education said the pool had limited use for the program compared to other facilities.
"Other pools in the region provide increased benefits to students as they are modern indoor facilities, as it was outdoors the Glen Dhu pool could only be used in summer months," the spokesperson said.
"As an even depth pool, it can also not cater for the deep-water requirements of the swimming and water safety program.
"This has in the past meant that the SWSP has had to schedule the first week of the two week program at Glen Dhu and then the second week at an alternative pool with deep water."
The Department of Education said the limitations of the Glen Dhu Pool meant it was being reviewed.
"Given the limitations of the Glen Dhu pool and the aging infrastructure we are currently reviewing whether the pool should be re-opened or lessons permanently moved to pools with better facilities."
"We will be engaging with the school communities who have historically had an association with the Glen Dhu pool before a decision is made about its future."
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