THE Heywood Pool is still yet to open, with the town’s residents turning to Facebook to make a change.

Despite traditionally opening on December 1, the pool’s gates are still firmly shut, with contract holder Belgravia Leisure chalking its closure up to lack of staff.

According to the company, there was a concerning shortage of lifeguards across the nation in the wake of the pandemic, leaving many leisure facilities unable to open.

Although Heywood Pool has been unable to open, Casterton Pool, Merino Pool and the Portland Leisure and Aquatic Centre were opened in time for the start of summer.

To run a training course to employ lifeguards at the facility, Belgravia Leisure said it would need at least 10 participants, but had not had the community uptake to run the course.

“Only two out of the six people who registered participated in the course we ran recently (for the Heywood Pool),” Belgravia Leisure’s Portland Leisure and Aquatic Centre Manager Kerri Jennings said.

“We need 10 people to run the course – everything is paid for by Belgravia, including the accommodation if the course isn’t available locally – but we can’t run the course without participants and we can’t run the pool without training staff.

“We’re doing what we can, but there just hasn’t been a big uptake from people willing to work at the pool.”

Heywood district residents have grouped together in response to the situation, creating a group on Facebook to share their frustrations and concerns.

In a post, group creator Jennie Fairman said many “Heywoodians” were wondering why the pool facility was in such a neglected state, not staffed and open as it should be in summer and what could be done to save the community resource.

She asked group members to submit helpful and positive thoughts and suggestions to make some noise and get the facility up and running again.

Glenelg Shire mayor Anita Rank commented on the post and said it was not just lifeguards needed to reopen the facility.

“You need duty managers who have experience and knowledge in running pools,” she said.

“I.e. starting them and ensuring they operate within the guidelines.

“If you can’t get staff, you can’t get staff.”

Ms Fairman then suggested starting a recruitment program for the pool now so it could be up and running for the start of the next summer season.

“Fully staffed and open every day of summer from 10 am to 7pm or later,” she added.

“Kiosk in place, change rooms updated and lockers for security.

“These are the things that Heywood rate payers have mentioned today as their wish list.”

It was not just the extended closure of the pool that caused concern for the community, but the facility’s lack of upkeep also raised the alarm.

Speaking with the Portland Observer late last year, resident Annette Metcalfe said it was understandable they had no one to work there at the moment, but there always seemed to be a different issue stopping the pool from opening on time.

“We are a bit worried this might be the last year for the pool – if it opens at all – due to the state of it,” she said.

“It just looks neglected overall - whether it’s the toddler pool not opening, or the grass not being cared for.

“We need a community meeting about what upgrades we need for the pool and how we make sure we have it for years to come.”

Other suggested upgrades for the pool included a water park similar to those at caravan parks for children, more shade, fixing the toddler pool and opening the facility on days less than 20 degrees.

Ms Jennings said the company had no concrete plans to open the pool at this stage.

“We have to keep assessing the pool on a week-by-week basis,” she said.

“At the moment we’re doing what we can with upkeep around the grounds, the only thing we aren’t doing is treating the actual pool.

“Chemicals cost money and there’s no point in treating the water if we can’t open the pool yet.

“I encourage anyone who’s interested to register their interest for a lifeguard role so we can get the pool up and running as soon as possible.”

Visit belgravialeisure.com.au/simply-the-best-summer-jobs to register your interest in becoming a lifeguard.