Kids swim lessons take a dive

Having your children taught to swim is a lifesaving move that is being made more difficult for parents in Grafton.

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GRAFTON parents planning to put their children into learn-to-swim classes are in limbo as they wait for Clarence Valley Council to decide who will run the city's two pools.

The swimming co-ordinator at Grafton Swim Academy, Jo Clare, said she has hundreds of children on her books waiting for a decision.

“Until council decides which way they will go with the tender decision, we can't say to people we will teach their kids to swim this year,” she said.

“We're supposed to start on July 25 but I got a text today that said council won't be making a decision until their August meeting.

“It's really hard for us. I've got 10 instructors on the books as well as the kids who want to enrol but I don't know how we can start.”

The problem began earlier this year when CVC called for tenders to manage its pools and controversially awarded the tender to Queensland bidder Lane 4, ahead of long-term local pool managers Alan and Allura Paterson.

After the public outcry, the council then announced it would review the decision but has not been able to make a decision on its Grafton assets.

“They extended Alan and Allura's contract for a month while they make a decision,” Ms Clare said.

“Now it looks like they'll have to extend for another month if they're going to wait until August to decide.”

Ms Clare said some changes in the local learn-to-swim market, with one swim instructor selling up and another changing hands, had introduced additional uncertainty.

“There are hundreds of parents out there wondering what they're going to do,” she said. “It's a really important decision for parents.

“Getting kids into learn to swim is a lifesaving decision.”

The Daily Examiner contacted the council yesterday but its phone calls were not returned.