Orange Swim Club to form in time for summer

Councillors resolved to form the club after a rescission motion against the formation did not gain the required numbers to proceed.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the decision was taken to create the club to reduce pressure on the Orange Aquatic Centre, its lane allocation and to put kids and their swimming first.

“The situation at the moment is there are several swim clubs using the Orange Aquatic Centre, which puts a lot of pressure on the facility staff to allocate lanes to each club in a fair manner, which benefits the kids first and foremost,” Cr Kidd said.

“It’s a balancing act, particularly in winter time when the outdoor pool is not in use, we need to allocate space to swim clubs and the general public.

“The general public what we refer to as category 1, will always get priority on the available space.

“The swim clubs are category two and category three and are allocated lanes on this basis and in that order.

“After a great deal of consultation and time, we took the decision to form an Orange Swim Club, which will take priority when it comes to lane allocation as it will be a category two club and any other clubs will be category three.

“We asked the clubs to amalgamate to form the new entity and Jets Swim Club Orange took up that offer.

“It’s important to note we’re working closely with Swimming NSW and any joining is totally voluntary.

“Any club which chooses to remain as they are will always be welcome at the Orange Aquatic Centre.”

Orange City Council’s Sport and Recreation Chair Jason Hamling said now Council had made the decision to form the new entity it would begin to form the committee immediately.

“We have commenced work with Swimming NSW and we will soon be consulting with all swimmers and their coaches at the pool.

“We’re aiming to have everything in place by summer,” Cr Hamling said.

“The coaching director and any support volunteers would be decided by the Orange Swim Club committee.

“Having a committee of volunteers is good for the children.

“It promotes a strong sense of community and involvement and passion.

“Having a main swim club associated with the pool is better for the students.

“It means the pool staff can streamline learn to swim timetables, instructors can work with the new club and the existing pool programs can act as a type of feeder school into the club.

“It’s about the kids and everyone working together and efficiently for the kids.”

LANES: orange Swim Club will have priority over lane access during peak times.