Swimmers who've been lobbying Wollongong City Council to extend winter opening hours at North Wollongong's Continental Pool have vowed never to give up despite Council voting not to proceed at this time.

On the eve of Anzac Day, the day the popular pool's opening hours were reduced from a 6pm close time to 2pm, a group of afternoon swimmers launched a petition to try to convince the Council of the demand from regular pool users.

One of the loudest voices, Tony Konjarski, said despite Council's decision to undertake a sweeping review of all aquatic facilities, "I won't give up."

"At the moment they've just put it in the too hard basket," Tony said. "We have the support of the Wollongong Whales swimmers, and I'd like to get the support of local surf clubs and the Royal Surf Life Saving Association."

Pool provides multiple benefits

Those campaigning for longer opening hours say the Continental Pool provides multiple benefits. These include disability access, a safe, secure, supervised facility, and access to first aid and a defibrillator. They say with Wollongong's growing population and warmer temperatures due to climate change, the pool provides a place for people to maintain their fitness as well as being a social hub.

Claudia Jimenez, from Kembla Grange, is a primary school teacher at Dapto. "I'm here after work rain, hail or shine," she said.

The Illawarra Flame caught up with Claudia on the last day of the 6pm pool closure, after she'd finished her 20 laps. "This earlier closing time really affects full time workers. I feel so down during winter when I can only get here on weekends. Swimming is so important for my work life balance."

Grant Isedale works as an electrician and is a regular late afternoon swimmer. The water temperature in the Continental Pool for his last dip was over 22 degrees.

"If the sun's out, the water temperature is spot on," Grant said, adding he was disappointed that Council didn't support extended the opening hours. "I'll have to go to the rock pool for my swim, depending on the tides."

Frustrated by Council's decision

Amabile Cunzolo, another school teacher, has put together a second petition on change.org. She couldn't hide her frustration that Council put off the decision despite pleas from pool users at the last Council meeting.

"Council negated everything we said. They really didn't discuss it; they just fobbed us of," Amabile said.

"Council is saying it will cost $13,000 a month to keep the pool open for those extra four hours a day. I question that cost, and I'd like to see a breakdown of those costs," she said.

Wendy Maton moved to Wollongong from Sydney eight months ago and her regular afternoon dip "is such an important part of my life".

"I love swimming; it's so meditative. It's so nice to be able to come to this pool late in the day every day and not have to pay."

Another to sign the petition, Gwyn, says she learned to swim at the Continental Pool in 1970 and she's been swimming there ever since.

"I'm usually busy in the morning but I guess in winter I'll have to change my routine," Gwyn said.

Councillor offers his support

Cr Andrew Anthony joined the pool regulars late on Thursday and offered his ongoing support for their efforts. He was the only councillor to vote against deferring the decision, to allow time for Council to review the operations at all of the city's council-run aquatic facilities.

"The staff here say it could stay open, but it seems a slim prospect getting extended opening hours for this winter. I'll certainly be raising it again prior to next winter," Cr Anthony said.

"I'm encouraging those who want the pool kept open for longer hours to make a submission to Council's 2035 Community Strategic Plan, which is currently on exhibition. That feedback will tell the Council what people want."