Children’s swimming classes are back!

Children’s swimming lessons are finally set to resume on the Sunshine Coast.

The Coast’s nine aquatic centres will reopen on Saturday 13 June.

The aquatic centres are located at Beerwah, Buderim, Caloundra, Coolum-Peregian, Cotton Tree, Eumundi, Kawana, Nambour and Palmwoods.

This means kids swimming lessons – including mums and bubs classes – can recommence.

Like many council facilities, the aquatic centres have been closed due to coronavirus restrictions.

During the closures, council brought forward upgrades at Caloundra, Kawana, Cotton Tree, Eumundi and Nambour aquatic centres.

Collectively, these centres underwent $1.9 million in refurbishments.

The state government has now released an industry plan for aquatic centres.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said the plan may impact scheduling.

“I urge all residents to contact the aquatic centres directly to understand the impact that the industry plan may have on regular scheduling.

“COVID Safe measures must be in place,” he said.

“This will set the precedent for their timetables for lessons and lane availability.”

The Industry Plan includes the following key guidelines:
– Patrons of school age or younger children who use swimming pools and accompanying facilities for training, education and general use purposes may do so provided buffer zones are managed between adult patrons and children.
– Swimming lessons can resume with instructor-led classes in the water. Social distancing will apply where practical but the safety and hands-on nature of learn-to-swim education is recognised and approved.
– For adult patrons  at indoor/outdoor pools: capacity limited to a maximum of one person per 10 square metres of water surface area.
– Venues with multiple pools/spaces can have multiple groups of 20 for adults and larger groups of children, so long as social distance between groups is observed and patron details are recorded and kept.