I share the same concerns that Cr Duffy has raised.

As a regular user of the Aquatic Centre it is frustrating to not be able to access the outdoor pool two nights a week during the summer months.

I have seen the same sign advising that the general public is unable to access the outdoor 50 metre pool two nights a week from 5.30pm onwards, Monday nights for squad and Thursday nights for water polo.

The outdoor pool is only open early October to late April (not the 37 weeks as stated in the article).

Was there any community consultation done in regards to these closures?

Were Orange Aquatic Centre Members and regular users consulted before this decision was made?

The outdoor pool wasn't closed two nights a week last summer, why the change?

This is a public facility built by public funds and maintained by public funds and yet the public are excluded from accessing it two nights a week.

It is laughable for the Orange Aquatic Club President to compare reserving a netball court or cricket field when Orange has plenty of them, compared to only one public outdoor pool.

It is a nine lane 50 metre outdoor pool, a minimum of two lanes could be kept open for casual lap and recreational swimmers after 5.30pm on squad training nights, and half the pool when water polo is on.

Surely all parties can find a solution rather than exclusion.