Debate has erupted over the future look of the Peakhurst West pool which is due to close this month for an upgrade.
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Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said last week that the pool is not being privatised.
"I want to be clear. Peakhurst West pool has never been privatised and will never be under this government," Ms Car said.
"I cannot understand why anyone would want to scare the wonderful volunteers and community groups who use this pool.
"We are working through a series of important issues raised by the community to ensure that the pool is upgraded, fit for purpose and meets their needs. I'm very grateful for the constructive engagement," she said.
Located within Peakhurst West Public School, the pool reopened last November following a $1.5 million upgrade by the NSW Department of Education and the state Ggvernment to improve the safety and accessibility.
The pool has been used by students at Peakhurst West Public School, as well as other local schools and learn-to-swim providers who run swimming programs at the facility.
Community swim clubs also use the facilities, including some of the original community groups that fundraised for the pool to be built in 1961.
Local company, FitXP, well-known for delivering sports programs in schools, has been appointed to run and maintain the pool.
Upgrade works will include reducing the depth of the 25-metre pool, increasing the depth of the infants pool, tiling and waterproofing of both pools and upgrading of change rooms.
Last week it was reported that community swimming groups feared that the pool would be privatised.
Oatley MP Mark Coure has renewed calls for the NSW Labor Government to guarantee affordable community access at the pool, following growing concern from parents, swimming clubs, coaches and local users.
Mr Coure said local families were alarmed by reports of increased fees, reduced access for community groups and changes to long-standing arrangements at the facility.
"Increased fees, reduced access for local squads and community groups, and changes to long-standing arrangements are exactly why people fear this once community-focused pool is being commercialised," Mr Coure said.
"If the Government says the pool is not being privatised, then it should immediately guarantee affordable community access, protect local learn-to-swim operators, preserve squad training hours and ensure public swimming remains accessible.
"Swim groups are also concerned with the proposed reduction in depth at the Peakhurst West Public School pool from two metres to around 1.4 metres. It will significantly impact the pool's ability to support competition swimming, structured training and a wide range of community programs.
"Parents, coaches and local swimming operators are worried the pool is shifting away from community use towards a more commercial model. Those concerns deserve to be listened to and not dismissed."
Georges River Councillor, Nancy Liu, said a proposed reduction in pool depth from two metres to approximately 1.35 to 1.4 metres fundamentally alters the pool's ability to support competition-standard use, structured training and a broad range of community programs.
"These changes appear to be inconsistent with the NSW Government's stated intention of delivering an 'upgrade' to the facility. From the community's perspective, this is not an upgrade," Cr Liu said.
Roy Tsao of local pool users - Aqua Wings Swim Academy, "Sixty years ago, the pioneers of our community had the determination and vision to build a two-metre-deep competition swimming pool at Peakhurst West. Through community fundraising, they created a true competition pool for future generations. No department or authority has the right to downgrade it."
Peakhurst West Heated Pool Co-operative president, John Thomas called for a halt to any proposed work until there is further discussion with the community.
"Current hirers indicate that the current two-metre depth at the deep end is important in teaching children how to survive should they find themselves out of their depth," Mr Thomas said.
"The proposed changes will severely impact on this as well as making the pool less safe should someone dive into an artificially shallowed pool. Essentially, life is not a 1.4 metre experience and children need to learn how to survive should they find themselves out of their depth or comfort zone in a pool or other swimming location.
"Once such a change happens, it will be virtually impossible to reverse, significantly limiting the pool's overall usability for the long term," he said.
Lihua Yuan representing Penshurst RSL Youth Club said, "We have now met with the Minister, who showed genuine concern about the issue and opened a channel of communication with the community. We hope a solution can be found to ensure the pool remains an important community asset for current and future generations."

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