A VOUCHER system for free entry into Corrimal pool will be trialled for children this summer.

The new program is being subsidised by Wollongong City Council and will be available at Corrimal and Dapto heated pools for the school holidays.

All of Council’s other public pools remain open and free to visit. At all Council’s facilities parents and guardians are required to supervise children aged 14 years and under when they’re at our pools.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said at a time when families are being asked to stretch their incomes further this is a small way Council can help facilitate family-friendly activities during the school holidays.

“While some days are definitely beach days, there is also something really refreshing on a hot summer’s day about splashing about or floating in a pool,” Cr Brown said.

“This trial makes it a little easier for families to choose the option that works best for them.

“Plus, it’ll complement the free activities we offer in our libraries, as well as the opportunities offered at Wollongong Art Gallery, Wollongong Youth Centre and the Wollongong Botanic Garden to keep the kids entertained.’’

For the trial, each child will be entitled to 10 free visits to the city’s heated pools. It’s available for:

• Children aged 5 to 16 years and who live in the Wollongong Local Government Area.
• 10 visits until 30 January 2025.
• Casual swim entry only. Not valid for swim lesson entry, fitness classes or spectators.

To get your 10-day visit pass you can visit Corrimal or Dapto pools, and a parent or guardian must be present and show a photo ID to staff as proof of address and to confirm the age of their children. Get your 10-day visit pass from Corrimal Pool from Monday 23 December 2024, and Dapto Pool from Monday 6 January 2025.

The introduction of the trial will coincide with the reinstatement of fees at Dapto pool. The fees had been paused while Council worked to replace the pool’s heating infrastructure which had become unreliable.

“I’d like to think that with this pass, families can set themselves a summer challenge to visit all of Council’s swimming spaces over the holidays,” Cr Brown said.

“Between our public pools with a lifeguard service, rock pools and 17 patrolled beaches we have an amazing 35 places to swim. That’s a pretty good challenge to test yourself against given there are 31 days in January, and the program starts from 23 December.”

The trial program starts on Monday 23 December at Corrimal Pool and from Monday 6 January – when fees will also be reinstated – at Dapto Pool.

Free subscription to The Bulli & Clifton Times

OR DONATE BY CREDIT CARD

Don’t have Paypal? Instead, if you would like to support my work, you can leave a $2 credit or debit card donation here by tapping or clicking on the button below. Your generous patronage of my work and research, however small it appears to you, will greatly help me with my continuing costs.