SCHUBERT candidate Tony Piccolo has joined with Barossa residents in calling for Nuriootpa’s outdoor pool to remain open.

It follows Barossa Council’s controversial decision to shut the Nuriootpa War Memorial Swimming Pool at the end of the upcoming season, having revealed it would cost an estimated $1.6 million minimum to bring it up to standard.

Meeting with residents on Saturday Mr Piccolo said he has written to the council and strongly encouraged it to undertake further public consultation to make the process fairer and ensure that any final decision made has broad community support.

“From what residents have told me personally and reading the feedback in the local newspaper, it is clear the decision by the council to close the pool has shocked the local community,” Mr Piccolo said.

“I have respectfully asked that council genuinely reconsider (its) decision to close the pool in April 2021, and as a minimum keep the pool open until a publicly acceptable alternative is determined.

“The pool is an important community location for social interaction, safe recreation, and physical activity to support good health and mental wellbeing, particularly in the forthcoming summer swimming season, on the back of COVID-19 enforced isolation and social distancing.”

Mr Piccolo said he acknowledges the financial challenge for council to upgrade or replace the pool, but stressed council should negotiate an alternative facility with the community before the current pool is shut down.

As published in The Bunyip last week, council plans on turning the pool into a park, while considering the installation of a ‘Zero Depth Splash Zone’ at Nuriootpa’s Tolley Reserve.

It will also focus on opportunities to generate new revenue streams for the 63-year-old Williamstown outdoor pool that could also increase its usage.

“The need for an upgraded pool in the current site has significant local support,” Mr Piccolo said.

“Many local people in the Barossa have contacted me saying that the pool is a vital community facility.

“Local schools are in limbo as they rely on the pool for summer competitions and events.

“I am told that over the last swimming season the Faith Lutheran aquatic day hosted more than 600 students, Nuriootpa High School more than 900, there were about 300 Craigmore year 8s and the SAPSASA swimming carnival hosted about 400 competitors.”

An online petition has already attracted more than 2700 signatures since the council’s decision.

Mr Piccolo was also presented with a hard copy petition by Tracey Sholz from the Nuriootpa War Memorial Pool Working Group, which is also circulating at several Barossa businesses.

Call for Piccolo to commit pool funds

Barossa Mayor Bim Lange has called on local MP Tony Piccolo to commit the necessary funds that would save the Nuriootpa pool.

On Monday, Mr Lange acknowledged Mr Piccolo’s letter as well as a community petition, calling for the Nuriootpa pool to remain open until there is a decision on a publicly acceptable alternative.

Mr Lange said this could be possible but requires a further resolution of council.

“However the ability to remain open is limited to the existing equipment being able to operate without major failure,” he said.

“Any petition is welcome but equally has to weigh up the impact of strategy and expenditure from limited resources.

“Additional pool spending will mean one of three things: less spending on other services like roads, footpaths, social services, recreation and sport and The Big Project; increased rates over and above the long term predictions; or closure of services.

“We call on the Member for Light, should he be elected to the seat of Schubert in 2022, to provide a commitment to funding of a new facility.”

Mr Lange reiterated that resources will be allocated to further discussions about the future direction of the pool.

“Member for Light’s position seems to support the current outcome being pursued by council,” he said.