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Forced to close earlier this year due to a shortage of lifeguards - just three months after its opening - the Wadeye Swimming Pool in the remote north west of the Northern Territory has reopened under the management of the YMCA.

West Daly Regional Council has made the decision to contract out third-party management of the facility in the “short-term” after its own management failed to retain staff to operate the pool.

Reopened on 23rd November last year after undergoing a $4.8 million facelift, $4.5 million of which was funded by the Northern Territory Government, closed to the general public in January due to “staffing issues,” although it was still being used in limited circumstances by students of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Thamarrurr Catholic College.

It had previously closed in 2018 due to neglect and vandalism.

As part of the YMCA taking over the management of the facility, the Belgravia Academy has trained and accredited seven lifeguards.

The Belgravia Academy advised that two of its “fantastic trainers recently made the trip out to the community to deliver practical CPR, First Aid and Pool Lifeguard training to the newest group of recruits.”

Noting that “more on the way”, the Belgravia Academy added “it's now a great time to swim in Wadeye.”

As reported by NT News, Council documents show it will fund the YMCA to manage the facility in the “short-term” and will be unable to maintain the commitment in the long-term.

The Council has been forced to reallocate $280,000 of funds from other Wadeye projects, including the Nilinh to Wadeye footpath and Wadeye main street beautification, in order to pay for the contract.

Advocating that the pool had to be reopened to provide “much needed relief and activities for the children”, the Council is looking for the Northern Territory Government to fund its ongoing operations.

Located over 400 kilometres south west of Darwin, Wadeye, formerly known as Port Keats, is one of Australia's largest remote Indigenous communities.

Image: Locals enjoy the Wadeye Swimming Pool. Credit: West Daly Regional Council.

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