Why pay $5.xx (per visit) if I am not swimming ??

Lrizqur on 28/02/2015 - 16:57
  • first post at Ozbargain*

Sitting on sideline of a swimming pool in Canberra, while my 2 kids enjoying the water. We use to come here 3, 4 times a month depending on weather conditions). I normally sit out of water because I don't know much swimming :( and to save money as well.

Until last year, I used to pay for the kids only because thay were the ones using the pool. But since last month (3 visits), I had to pay the full amount myself as well (just to be a supervisor, as per rules). On the counter I asked the lady and she informed "this is our new policy". Each kid is charged $4.x so I was paying around $8.x for both of them but now I have to pay $14.x which includes $5.x for an adult entry.

I really don't know how a swimmer using the facilities and a non-swimmer adult doing supervision of the kids have to pay the same amount. The keep watch notice board here clearly says that an "active supervision is required for kids aged 6-10" and the picture with it shows that the supervision could be done from outside of the pool as well.

Could you guys please share some ideas on this, and guide if I need to change the pool.

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • altomic on 28/02/2015 - 17:08
    +3

    arrive in a wheel chair.

  • rizqur on 28/02/2015 - 17:39
    +1

    Being an ozbargainer, who will bear the wheel chair's cost :)

  • iampoor on 28/02/2015 - 18:22

    Time to change pools, experienced the same thing.

    • rizqur on 28/02/2015 - 22:25

      So, I am not the only one here.

    • cypher67 on 28/02/2015 - 23:26
      +1

      One does not simply … change pools

      • iampoor on 03/03/2015 - 11:22

        I drive to the pool so it is nice and simple for me.

  • Mysterious on 28/02/2015 - 18:41
    +7

    I guess this new policy was introduced due to parents trying to save a few bucks by calling themselves supervisors but then actually using the facilities. I can totally understand why the place charges now.

    • rizqur on 28/02/2015 - 22:24

      True, this was my initial thought as well.

  • NancyCat on 28/02/2015 - 19:47
    +1

    In Melbourne, MSAC (Melb Sports & Aquatic Centre) is only $1 for non-swimmer. It says "The $1 Non Swimmer/Spectator fee covers the maintenance and upkeep of all the aquatic facilities that are used, changing rooms, toilets, seating etc. In order to continue to offer our services and facilities we need to ensure that all areas are maintained to the highest standards and are in-line with OH&S guidelines."

    • rizqur on 28/02/2015 - 22:23

      Thanks for informing the Melbourne rules. This makes much more sense. I am happy to pay $1 or $2 but not the full amount.

      • GnarlyKnuckles on 28/02/2015 - 22:43
        +2

        In my opinion, if you are going to lobby the pool to change the rules to $1 or $2 for non-swimming supervisors (which is reasonable IMHO, while $5 is not), you need to ring around other pools (a local call in the ACT for you), or get prices online for interstate places online, and point out that they are not doing what all the other places do (which could be viewed as profiteering… don't say that last bit to them though!). Everywhere I know in VIC has a much lower price (half or less) for non-swimming supervisors. I'm betting this is the same in all states.
        You may also wish to suggest to them that one thing that it may result in is some peeps (not those with younger kids, obviously) deciding they're better off not entering/supervising at all, and simply sending their kids in on their own; i.e. essentially relying on the pool-guards to supervise them.

        • rizqur on 01/03/2015 - 10:50

          Thanks for the detailed and helpful guidance. I will definitely ring other pools in the ACT.

  • wayacos on 01/03/2015 - 11:35

    Would you trust someone else to supervise and watch your children?
    Seems pretty cheap day out to me.

    • rizqur on 01/03/2015 - 13:38

      Definitely Not.

    • GnarlyKnuckles on 01/03/2015 - 17:12

      "Would you trust someone else to supervise and watch your children?"

      No offense intended waya, but you must not have any kids yet, or you'd know that at some point/age you have to, and people do trust 'someone else' to watch/supervise their children all the time; babysitters, teachers, childcare workers, other parents if they have a sleep-over or a kids party, etc.

      "Seems pretty cheap day out to me."

      Agreed, but actually that is not the point. Going to the large adventure-playground at the park near my house is a 'cheap day out' (it's free); that doesn't mean I'd be happy if someone decided they were justified in charging me $5 to go there and supervise my kids.

  • pebee47 on 01/03/2015 - 18:12

    The way I see it:
    1: the pool have a duty of care for the safety of all users
    2 the pool has a rule that users supply "supervisors" for children
    3 the pool has a right to (presumably) charge supervisors what they want

    Is it a privately owned pool? Can only appeal to reason, or use publicity to shame or encourage people to move away
    Is it a Publicly owned pool? Local Member/publicity to get fee changed
    Public owned/privately run? What does the contract say about fees? Local member/publicity
    Otherwise go elsewhere

  • stephi on 03/03/2015 - 13:40

    My local pool charges $4 for spectators ($6.80 if you swim).

    A bit much I thought, then when my kids have swimming tryouts the staff made a fuss that parent/s must pay $4 for standing around for 1hr….then you must leave!!! Kids wanted a quick splash, but NO.

    I argued that should I drop them off and come back in 1 hour, the answer was yes, if I did not want to pay $4

    Totally rediculous!

  • hamwhisperer on 04/03/2015 - 07:03

    Hah, I just checked prices here in Richmond, it's about 6$ to swim in their pool, which I don't care for, or 13$ to swim and use the Sauna - I don't want to use the bloody pool at all though :/

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