WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE: Lifeguard Will Mortimer keeps a watchful eye over swimmers at the pool. The pool was the cool place to be during yesterday’s heat. Photo: Steve Gosch 108sgpool1
HIGH temperatures this week meant almost three times as many swimmers turned out to escape the heat at the Orange Aquatic Centre on Monday compared to the same time last week.
On Monday the temperature gauge reached 33.7 degrees and 1500 people went through the gates of the swimming pool.
Yesterday was predicted to reach 35 degrees.
As of 2:30pm the pool’s thermometer had hit 32 degrees with 717 people deciding to head out to enjoy the pools set to a balmy 26 degree.
Senior lifeguard Jesse Dodds said the hot weather had caused swimmer numbers to skyrocket, especially among school holiday makers.
He said the indoor leisure pool was the most popular place for people to cool off.
“It’s mostly the baby pool,” he said.
“It’s always chock-a-block and everyone’s coming down for swimming lessons.
“We’re all flat out all the time.”
The air-conditioned comfort of the movie theatre also proved popular on the hottest days this week.
“We’ve had a few people who have commented that they’re here to beat the heat,” Odeon 5 manager Helen Oliver said.
School holidaymakers also flocked to the Orange City Library yesterday, but acting Orange librarian Peter Douglas said a performance from children’s entertainer and author Andy Jones was the reason for the crowds.
“There’s not a lot of extra people [because of the heat], but this time of year we have lots of backpackers here accessing the internet,” he said.
Today and tomorrow are expected to offer a slight reprieve for residents struggling with the heat, with a top of 27 degrees expected on both days.
But on Friday the mercury will climb to 34 degrees and Saturday is picked to be the hottest day this week with temperatures as high as 36 degrees.
Sunday is expected to fall to 29 degrees and Monday to 27 degrees.
clare.colley@fairfaxmedia.com.au