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Interim Manager appointed 04 march 2011

Rescue reinforces need for lifeguards 18 Jan, 2011

Parents of babies urged to consider other pool users 15 Dec, 2010

Opening splash 08 Dec, 2010

More funds for pool 03 Dec, 2010

Sapphire Aquatic Centre opens Saturday 16 October 10 Oct 2010

Sapphire Aquatic Centre Project Moves at a Fast Rate 05 Aug 2010

Pambula Pool open days 01 July 2010

Interim Manager appointed

The Board of Sapphire Aquatic Limited today announced the appointment of a new manager for Sapphire Aquatic Centre, the well known local identity Laurie Delle Vergin. Mr Delle Vergin officially commences in his new role on Saturday 12th of March, but next week will work with the outgoing Manager, Mr Nick Pawley, to ensure a smooth transition for the Centre’s patrons. Mr Delle Vergin will manage the Centre until a permanent manager is appointed.

“Laurie brings a wealth of pool centre experience to the position, and we are delighted to have secured his commitment to this important community facility,” said Board Chairman, Mr Colin Dunn. “Equally pleasing is the prospect of injecting Laurie’s extensive community and business acumen into the Centre’s operation. And I’m sure everyone will enjoy his very friendly and bubbly personality!”

Laurie was previously the Managing Director of Tathra Beach Family Park, a business in which he still retains part-ownership. In his time at the Park, Laurie developed new facilities including the installation of two swimming pools. Prior to that, Laurie and his family owned and operated South Haven Caravan Park which, at the time, had the region’s only publicly available indoor heated pool. While at South Haven he implemented a range of aquatic programs including Learn-to-Swim, Aqua Aerobics, Water Polo and Pool Discos. Since selling South Haven in 2004 Laurie has been involved in a number of successful tourism ventures and has had a range of significant management roles including his role as Chairman of Family Parks Ltd., Australasia’s leading independent chain of caravan parks.

Laurie has very strong links into the Bega Valley community especially through his chairing of Sapphire Coast Tourism, his membership of the Bega Valley Shire Service Awards Committee, and being on the committees of the Merimbula Area Chamber of Commerce and Merimbula Area Committee.

Even more important than his experience and qualifications, Laurie brings a personal friendly style that has made his holiday parks so popular. With his friendly outlook, his substantial aquatic and business experience, and his extensive local knowledge and networks, Laurie is ideally placed to take on the role at the Aquatic Centre.

The Sapphire Aquatic Centre was opened in October 2010 as a joint venture between Bega Valley Shire Council and Pambula Aquatic Centre Inc. This $6.5 million all-year facility was built for just $4.2 million using local donations, contributions from local contractors, a significant grant from the Federal Government and support from the Bega Valley Shire Council. On behalf of the Council, PACI spearheaded the fundraising and managed the construction of the Centre. Under Agreement with the Council, the Centre is now operated by Sapphire Aquatic Limited, a not-for-profit local community Company.

The Sapphire Aquatic Centre employs 20 staff and is open 7 days a week. Facilities at the Indoor Centre include a 25m heated lap pool, a large warm-water exercise & therapy pool, an exciting children’s water playground, cafe, gym, meeting room facilities and childminding. The Centre conducts regular squad training and water-aerobics, and has a very large Learn-to-Swim program.

For further information contact Jill Hambling Secretary, Sapphire Aquatic Limited, 6495 7574

Rescue reinforces need for lifeguards - MNW, Andrew Clarke, 18 Jan, 2011 04:35 PM

Vigilance is the key to protecting children from drowning; whether it is at the local beach or river, in the backyard or community pool.

Parents are often charged with the duty of protecting their children while swimming, but in some cases distractions put children at risk.

Safety of children swimming in the river or the backyard pool is the sole responsibility of parents, and although lifeguards protect swimmers at the beach and at the community pool, parents should also remain vigilant.

A rescue at the Sapphire Aquatic Centre on Wednesday, January 5, highlighted the role of lifeguards at community pools.

A six-year-old boy inadvertently chased a dragonfly into deep water and when he went to put his feet down he could not touch bottom. He panicked and lifeguard Scott Anderson jumped into the water to save him.

Once Scott and the boy were out of the water, the boy was immediately going to jump back in. His father was busy with two younger children and did not see the rescue unfold.

Scott did not allow the boy to re-enter the pool and took him to his father.

Sapphire Aquatic Centre manager Nick Pawley said the rescue highlighted the need for two lifeguards on duty.

“We have been copping some flack over pool prices and that fact we have two lifeguards on duty,” he said.

“It is important that two lifeguards are on duty and the perfect example was the recent rescue. Who was going to look after the other people in the pool while Scott was saving the little boy?

“We also had a situation when a person slipped and an ambulance was called. While a lifeguard was attending to that person, the other was guarding the pool.

“There have been guidelines in place for years in regards to two lifeguards and at the end of the day what value can you place on a person’s life?”

The centre has 13 part time lifeguards on a rotating roster. The operations co-ordinator and manager are also qualified lifeguards.

Mr Pawley said the centre was managed with the safety of the public as its number one priority.

“The majority of people who visit the pool are kids and they are always the ones getting into trouble in the water. We have an obligation to open the doors to a safe environment,” he said.

“Lifeguards like Scott know where every person in the pool is at all times. He and the other lifeguards are there to do a job and that is to save lives.”

Source

Parents of babies urged to consider other pool users - MNW, 15 Dec 2010 - Denise Dion

Regular users of the Sapphire Aquatic Centre are getting increasingly annoyed at parents who do not use aqua nappies on their babies and toddlers in the pool after the facility was shut down several times due to faeces in the water.

In recent weeks the toddler pool which includes the pool where learn to swim and aqua aerobics classes are conducted, has closed four times after incidents involving faecal material.

Pool manager, Nick Pawley said: “It is a condition of entry that any children aged three or under must wear an aqua nappy and if you don’t have one you won’t be allowed in the pool.”

The incidents can be time consuming to put right and cost money as well as being a health hazard.

Mr Pawley explained that once a stool had been identified, the pool has to be evacuated.

The stool is removed and water is then tested to ascertain the levels of free residual chlorine that is available to kill the bacteria.

Government guidelines specify the amount of chlorine needed.

If the level of chlorine is strong enough and it is a single firm stool, it may be possible to re-open the pool quite quickly although the pool will have to be super-chlorinated overnight for 12 hours, Mr Pawley said.

If however, there is more than one stool or the stools are loose, the pool must be super-chlorinated immediately with chlorine levels raised for 24 hours after which the filters need backwashing.

In both cases, Mr Pawley said, the free chlorine level then has to be reduced so that it is safe and comfortable to swim in. This means the addition of water.

In each case it will cost $1000 with the cost of chemicals, water and extra wages.

“It has a very large impact on the centre every time it has to close. There’s an even bigger financial impact if we need to close when a class is running because not only does it cost us money to fix the problem but we have to return the class fees,” Mr Pawley said.

In the last week, two irate pool users have phoned the News Weekly office, to complain about the closures.

Mr Pawley said: “The reason for closing is to ensure people’s safety and we need to make certain that the pool is clean and safe to use when we do re-open.”

On Wednesday, December 8, the News Weekly received a call from a man who didn’t wish to give his name but said he was a regular user of the pool but once again, that morning, people had been made to leave the small pool area after an accident with a small child.

Bev Smith of Pambula called parents who did not do the right thing “selfish” and said that it was important to stress how vital it was for toddlers and babies to have the right nappy.

Mrs Smith was affected when her aqua aerobics class had to be cancelled.

Mr Pawley said that in two of the recent incidents, an aqua nappy had been used. However, it isn’t just a question of putting on a nappy as fitting the right size is important too.

He explained that the NSW department of health had certain guidelines about public swimming pools.

“Be aware if your child is sick and not use the pool if the child has had diarrhoea within the last two weeks,” Mr Pawley said.

“It is important to shower before entering the pool and not to swallow pool water.

“A big part of the staff’s job is about education. We can be fined and shut down if we don’t do the right thing and so we take this very seriously.”

He said that council could undertake random audits and so staff had to do a number of tests daily.

An aqua nappy is essentially a waterproof version of a regular nappy except that it’s put on like a pair of swimmers or undies instead of using tapes, to ensure water hygiene during swimming.

Parents are advised to put the swim nappy on just before using the pool and when it comes to time to change, go into the change rooms instead of doing it by the poolside.

Aqua nappies are available for sale at the Sapphire Aquatic Centre.

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Opening splash - 08 Dec, 2010 11:09am - MNW

Dignitaries, special guests and many of those who had been involved in the huge community effort to bring the new aquatic centre at Pambula to a reality celebrated as Garry Hetherington, president of Pambula Aquatic Centre Inc. (PACi) and Mike Kelly, member for Eden Monaro cut the ribbon to formally open the Sapphire Aquatic Centre on Saturday, December 4.

There’s no point in celebrating the opening of a pool if you’re not going to sample what’s on offer and that was precisely what member for Eden Monaro, Mike Kelly, left, did. The temptation was too much for Ron Finneran and Daryl Dobson who joined Dr Kelly and dived in fully clothed.

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More funds for pool - 03 Dec, 2010 09:05am - BDN

Bega Valley Shire Council has resolved to provide a further grant of $138,000 to Pambula Aquatic Centre Incorporated (PACi) for construction of the Sapphire Aquatic Centre.

This is additional to the $500,000 already paid to creditors following a resolution last month, bringing to $638,000 the grant council has made to the pool from its general fund surplus. There will also be a loan of $133,000 over 10 years to Sapphire Aquatic Limited from Water and Sewer fund to run the centre to be repaid at a minimum of $4,156.25, paid on a quarterly basis.

Time payment will begin in 2012-2013 financial year with first the quarterly payment commencing on 30 September 2012. Councillors reached these decisions after a lengthy session at last Tuesday’s council meeting and resolved that council would make no further funds available towards the capital costs of the Sapphire Aquatic Centre.

PACi will also be advised that council will not provide any further operational funding other than the $88,000 per annum to be paid quarterly as set out in the facility management agreement. The motion was moved by Crs Hede and Pincini and supported by Crs Fitzpatrick, Hede, Pincini and Seckold.

Crs Allen, Campbell and Hughes voted against and Crs Britten and Wykes were absent from the meeting.

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Sapphire Aquatic Centre opens Saturday 16 October

Excitement is mounting as the Sapphire Aquatic Centre prepares to open its doors to the public at 6am on Saturday 16 October 2010, with access at this stage to the lap pool and multi purpose pool.
The Centre boasts warm water swimming all year round, and will be open 7 days a week.

Two lanes of the lap pool will be available for public use at all times, with the exception of school carnival bookings.

Opening hours are 6am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 6am to 6pm Saturday, and 9am to 5pm Sunday and Public Holidays.

Learn to Swim Assessments will commence on Friday 15 October at 12 noon and Saturday 16 October from 6am, Aqua Aerobics classes on Thursday 28 October, and Squad Training on Monday 18 October at 6am.

The Café and short term child minding centre will open later in the year, with the Health Club ready for early 2011. In the meantime vending machines will be available with snacks and cold drinks.

Membership passes can be purchased at reception, or you can just pay for a casual visit.

So come along and enjoy this wonderful new community facility.

If you would like to donate an item at the Centre, please contact Rosie Young Ph. 6495 9679 or email: tedyoung@ozemail.com.au for a list of items and prices.

For further information on programs, timetables, and charges please phone the Sapphire Aquatic Centre on 6494 3100, email info@sapphireaquatic.com.au, or visit www.sapphireaquatic.com.au

Rosie Young
Publicity Officer, PACI

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The Sapphire Aquatic Centre continues to move at a rapid rate towards an anticipated opening in late spring 2010.

The concreting of the pool surrounds is underway, the roof will soon be in place, and a ramp has been concreted from the Administration Area to the current amenities block which is to be converted into a Health Club-Gymnasium and a meetings room. The water toys will be installed shortly in the Children’s Water Playground, and glass items are already being installed.

The Engraved Paver Project has been an overwhelming success, with close to $17,000 being raised towards construction costs.  Warm thanks to those in the community who so generously supported this project. The pavers will be a major feature in the entrance path into the new Aquatic Centre creating a community feel to this long awaited Shire wide facility.

Woolworths has demonstrated its generosity and support by providing $3000 towards a Giant Inflatable Water Toy, to feature at Children’s Birthday Parties at the Centre, and on other special occasions. Thanks so much, Woolies!

Last weekend Pambula Rotarians were seen hard at work building a 1000 block retaining wall.

So… the excitement continues to mount.

Rosie Young, Publicity Officer, Pambula Aquatic Centre Inc. Committee (PACI)

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Pambula Pool open days

By Denise Dion - 01 Jul, 2010 08:44AM

Despite the chilly weather, several hundred people visited the Sapphire Aquatic Centre site at Pambula last weekend to see how the pool was progressing, and they liked what they saw.

Pambula Aquatic Centre Inc threw open the gates of the building site and encouraged everyone to come along and view the progress that has been made on the high-profile, community-driven project.

Publicity officer Rosemary Young, said: “Everyone loved what they saw but were surprised by the size. Everyone thought it was much bigger than they had imagined.

“Some people could not believe that it was actually going to happen after five years of fundraising.”

The chilly conditions brought home to many potential users the benefit of having heated pools that would be open all year round.

Mrs Young called the weekend “a triumph” and said that reaction had been terrific with many guided tours of the facility being conducted for interested visitors.

She said that many people had not grasped that there would be three pools, a health club and gym, beach volleyball court, child minding facilities and a cafe all included in the complex.

There will be a six-lane lap pool with disabled access, a large multi-purpose pool with a kids water playground and learn to swim area and a deeper pool for remedial therapy and aqua aerobics with disabled access.

Thumbs up for the pool, back: Nick Bamford, Billy Bamford, Liam McManus and
front: Molly Read, Makenzie Baker, Kynan Baker and Georgia Brian.

The pool project is off the starting blocks and these swimmers, Makenzie Baker and
Cooper Woods, would like to be too.

This aerial photo of the Sapphire Aquatic Centre gives a great perspective of its size and the
project's advancement as it becomes a reality. Photo: Steve Strevens, editor Bega District News

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Primrose in awe of pool volunteers - Published Merimbula News Weekly

NSW Minister for Volunteering, Peter Primrose, has touted the Sapphire Aquatic Centre as one of the best community projects he has seen.

He was in town last Thursday in the lead up to National Volunteering week from Monday May 10 to Sunday May 16.

Mr Primrose toured the site with Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Penny Sharpe, Pambula Aquatic Centre Inc. (PACi) chairman Garry Hetherington and Daryl Dobson, and was instantly impressed.

“Projects like this don’t happen unless there is a dedicated efforts from community volunteers” Mr Primrose said.

“This pool project is an exemplary example of what can be achieved by volunteers in the community.

“To raise that much money and build a community asset like the pool complex is a remarkable effort.  I congratulate all involved.”

Work on the pool project has been fast. The construction site changes every day as workers prepare the existing pool for wheelchair access, excavate the site of the new smaller pool and stand the walls of the amenities block and pump room.  Roof support has also been knitted in readiness for the pool’s enclosure.

PACi fundraising guru Daryl Dobson said Mr Primrose’s praise was well received.

“We would like to thank Minister Primrose for making the journey to come and see us” he said.

“It’s great to have our volunteers finally recognized for their efforts in the community.  We have a wonderful community down here and a lot of volunteers who work to get things done”.

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Sapphire Aquatic Centre jumps out of the ground - Article by Liz McCormick, Editor, Merimbula News Weekly.

Work is ahead of schedule on the $4.3 million Sapphire Aquatic Centre that aims to open by the end of this year.

The realisation of this long-held community dream will bring recreational facilities in the Bega Valley Shire to a new standard.  The passive solar-designed aquatic centre will provide a heated lap pool, multi-purpose pool and children’s playground for year round use.

Other features include a substantial gymnasium, café and child minding facilities.  Buildings are springing up out of the ground at the Pambula Beach site while at the same time major excavation works are underway for the development of a multi-purpose swimming pool.

All the walls of the amenities block are expected to be up by the end of this week.

The progress in the aquatic centre’s development will no doubt gladden the hearts of many in the community who have given generously of their money and time to bring this major piece of social infrastructure into existence.

Meanwhile the fundraising efforts continue as while the project is 95 per cent funded, there is a minor shortfall.  Pambula Aquatic Centre Inc. Chairman Garry Hetherington said the committee was confident of securing the extra funds.

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