At the moment, the pool of local lifeguards the Centre is able to call on is not large enough to adequately accommodate the expected larger number of swimmers who will be using the facility, particularly during busy periods.

Matt Kelly, the Splashez Aquatic Centre Manager, said he is urging residents who are qualified lifeguards, or bronze-medallion holders – who have the main skillsets of a lifeguard but must always work under the direct supervision of a qualified lifeguard – to contact him at the Centre to offer to work some shifts.

“It’s just so we’ve got a pool of people to call on, because with a mining town, people are on shift work, or they’re working fulltime,” Mr Kelly said.

He said the extra lifeguards would not only ensure swimmers are kept safe, but also help swimmers and visitors improve their water and pool safety knowledge.

“Having more people on board would definitely help, especially on weekends,” Mr Kelly said.

“In the future, if things really start to pick up, we’re going to need those people on board to help out. It just helps free us up when things are busy.”

The Centre had a “soft” reopening on October 25, but will have an official reopening in the

near future, which will include free entry and entertainment, once renovation works there

are complete.

Mr Kelly said that on the day of the soft reopening alone, about 1000 people walked

through the Centre’s gates.

The day of the official reopening is expected to be substantially more busy for Splashez, and

Mr Kelly said the facility will need several lifeguards and bronze-medallion holders to help

ensure all members of the public are kept safe when they’re in the Centre’s pools.

For more information, contact Mr Kelly at Splashez Aquatic Centre on 4743 2137.