There's disappointment today for a group of dedicated swimmers who have been campaigning to have the opening hours at North Wollongong's popular Continental Pool extended over the winter months.

As first reported in The Illawarra Flame last month, the pool, located on the Blue Mile, is set to have its hours shortened dramatically from Anzac Day, closing at 2pm, four hours earlier than at present.

At last night's Wollongong Council meeting, members of the public spoke in support of a notice of motion from Cr Kit Docker and Cr Andrew Anthony to get a costing for the extension of the Continental Pool's opening hours.

Amabile Cunzo, a teacher who swims daily, told the council meeting there were many reasons why the pool hours should be extended, including its increased patronage, Wollongong's growing population, that it provides a safe, secure and supervised facility, and with climate change winters are getting warmer.

"Our existing pool operating hours are not conducive to sections of the community who seek access to our pools before and after work hours, and there's a trend towards people wanting to access pools before and after work," Amabile said.

Swimming at twilight

Indeed, when The Illawarra Flame dropped in to the pool between 5-6pm yesterday, just before the council meeting began, we found about 50 people enjoying the water, a combination of lap swimmers and a school group.

Amabile said that while four pools remained open across the city in winter, the Continental is the only saltwater pool.

"The health benefits of salt far outweigh those of chlorinated pools. For instance, cold water boosts your immune system, improves circulation, mental health, respiratory health and is used for sports recovery... for many, swimming throughout winter is a part of their social and daily fitness routine.

"Many locals, from seniors to athletes and people with disabilities rely on this pool as part of their daily routine.

"This pool is more than a place to swim; it is a cherished landmark, a health and wellness hub, and an essential place for social connection," Amabile added.

The pool is truly inclusive

Her comments are supported by Cr Kit Docker. "It is one of the only saltwater pools in the city that is truly inclusive. From people living with a disability, to newly arrived migrants who don't feel safe in the ocean, the Continental Pool is accessible for all."

Cr Docker and Cr Anthony were disappointed that their notice of motion was amended to allow Council to review the operations at all its aquatic facilities. This almost certainly means there will be no extension to the Continental Pool's opening hours this winter.

"Residents have told me that the pool is a real gathering place for the community, and a safe and welcoming place for a swim," Cr Anthony said.

Lord Mayor says $17m spent on swimming facilities annually

In a letter to Amabile late last month, Lord Mayor Cr Tania Brown said: "Wollongong arguably provides the largest aquatic services in NSW, servicing 17 patrolled beaches, nine rock pools and nine supervised public swimming pools (including Beaton Park).

"The service operation costs are approximately $17m per annum to provide the existing service levels, which includes periods of the year where our cold water pools are closed for the season while still maintaining Corrimal, Dapto and Beaton Park as accessible facilities for the community to use throughout the entire winter period.

"There are a number of requests from various parts of the Wollongong community seeking increased services at our beaches and pools including extending the season, increasing hours, and providing further discounts and subsidies for the heated pools. These requests all have financial impacts that are not currently planned for in the Council's financial plans. Changes to service provision ultimately impacts other service offerings of Council, to fund a new or extended program."

The Lord Mayor said in her correspondence that "while there are not any plans to extend the operating hours at the Continental Pool, Council is currently undertaking the implementation of an Aquatic Facilities and Indoor Sports Strategy, where feedback on how the community wish to use their aquatic facilities and rock pools will be collected and matched against our current service levels, including the operating dates and times of our community pools.

"Feedback on this matter can and will be included within this Strategy development. This will provide Council a holistic view to inform future decision making within the context of the financial implications and impacts for Council to deliver its broader range of services to meet community expectations, Cr Brown added.

Issue has been 'swept under the carpet'

A disappointed Amabile Cunzolo said when it met last night Council seemed happy to "sweep the Continental Pool issue under the carpet".

"We only need the Council to tell us how much keeping the pool open an additional four hours a day, six days a week would cost. They say they want to review all aquatic services; they did an independent review years ago conducted by researchers from Queensland. How much did that cost? And what changed as a result?

"Conducting another review is a huge waste of dollars when they  could use that money keeping the Continental Pool open for longer hours."