Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Staff shortages prompt early closure of Port Hedland’s Gratwick Aquatic Centre

Staff shortages prompt early closure of Port Hedland’s Gratwick Aquatic Centre
March 6, 2024

Citing "critical aquatic staff shortages across Western Australia" the Town of Port Hedland has been forced to close the Gratwick Aquatic Centre as of Tuesday 5th March.

In an explanatory note the council explained "given the substantial shortage of qualified pool operators across Western Australia, particularly in regional areas, the Town has had to make the tough decision to close Gratwick Aquatic Centre earlier than usual.

"This closure will however enable the Town to focus on delivering a greater level of service at South Hedland Aquatic Centre, which typically sees nine times more visitors than Gratwick."

The last day of operations at the Centre as it wrapped up for the season was on Monday.

The Town went on to advise "existing seasonal bookings will not be affected by this closure - water polo, swim club and school swim carnivals will continue uninterrupted to facilitate ongoing training, competitions, and activities."

Port Hedland Leisure has also contacted non-seasonal booking holders affected by the change.

The Town is presently working on a number of solutions to attract more qualified and experienced aquatic pool operators to Port Hedland and anticipates the return to regular operations later in the year.

Gratwick Aquatic Centre is a seasonal pool which ordinarily operates between September and April.

For enquiries, email leisure@porthedland.wa.gov.au

Related Articles

24th February 2024 - LIWA Aquatics to stage site tour at reopened Bayswater Waves

9th February 2024 - Western Australian Government pilots free pool entry for eligible children and young people

21st November 2023 - LIWA Aquatics announces team for 2023/24

22nd May 2023 - Port Hedland sport and community hub revitalised to host array of events

15th February 2023 - Pool liner failure prompts two month closure of South Hedland Aquatic Centre

13th October 2022 - LIWA Aquatics presents regional seminars in Albany and Kulin

30th August 2022 - Port Hedland Leisure achieves AUSactive quality accreditation

7th June 2022 - Port Hedland Leisure marks three years of in-house facility management

31st December 2021 - Staff shortages lead to pool closures at Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre

7th November 2021 - Children to showcase aquatic skills at Pilbara Spirit Swimming and Lifesaving Carnival

5th September 2021 - Staff shortages result in long F&B queues during AFL semi-final at Perth’s Optus Stadium

27th August 2021 - Port Hedland Council endorses aquatic facility masterplan

12th January 2021 - New pool of lifeguards qualified in the Pilbara

29th May 2020 - Town of Port Hedland to decommission Gratwick Aquatic Centre dive pool

21st January 2020 - Upgrades at Port Hedland’s Gratwick Aquatic Centre extend facility’s lifespan

15th August 2019 - South Hedland primary school children learn to Swim My Way

25th October 2018 - Filtration system failure set to result in 12 month closure of Port Hedland’s Gratwick Aquatic Centre


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

The P.A. People

The P.A. People is a specialist integrator and contractor in sound reinforcement, audio visual systems, performance lighting and production communications. Over its almost 50 year history the company…

read more

Entertainment / Events / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

GymMaster

Contact: Australia: (+61) 1800 849 001 New Zealand: (+64) 3 668 5727 International: (+1) 415 915 0375

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

DAE Global

DAE Global is one of the world’s leading international creative and production practitioners, creating award-winning sport, culture and entertainment experiences for over 30 years.  It was…

read more

Culture / Entertainment / Events / Venues

 
 

Clubworx

Switch to smarter fitness management software with Clubworx based in Australia that enables fitness businesses to start or grow their business with ease. - all in one place from anywhere in the…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology / Wellness

 
 

COMMERCIAL AQUATICS AUSTRALIA

Commercial Aquatics Australia provides aquatic solutions nationwide and is one of the largest and most experienced companies specialising in the design, construction, renovation, service, maintenance…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks

 
 

PathMinder

PathMinder Pty Ltd have partnered with AllUser Industries srl to bring Europe’s most advanced high security portals to the Australian and New Zealand markets. AllUser Industries started to…

read more

Access / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

Chadson Engineering Pty Ltd

Australia’s leading manufacturer of horizontal and vertical media filters suited to all types of commercial pools, water playgrounds marine parks, aquaculture and zoos. They are an ideal…

read more

Aquatics / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Goplay Commercial Playground Equipment

Goplay designs and manufactures specialised playground equipment for indoor play centres, hotels, food chains, clubs and resorts. If our years of experience and dedication have taught us one thing,…

read more

Play

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business