From left: Zachary, Bailey, Branden and Victoria are keen to get back in the pool despite their father David Gothard’s concern over high ticket prices at Cardinia LiFE.
By Callan Date
They say casual swim visits to the Cardinia LiFE aquatic complex are too expensive and children’s swimming lessons are overpriced.
A local physical education teacher has also joined the chorus of concern, saying the high cost of student swimming lessons has caused enrolments to drop by nearly 50 per cent.
The $11 million centre has created a whirlpool of debate with many residents delighted about the establishment of the stateoftheart leisure complex in Pakenham.
Over 570 members have joined the centre with many more checking out the new pools, gym and other facilities on a casual basis.
But other residents are not as happy.
Pakenham parent David Gothard said he had been charged $13 more for his son’s swimming lessons at Cardinia LiFE through Pakenham Hills Primary School.
“It is a council owned pool so why are we being ripped off when paying for our kids to learn how to swim,” Mr Gothard said.
Pakenham Hills physical education teacher Maciek Luczak said he was worried about the high number of students who haven’t enrolled in swimming lessons this year.
“It looks like we will have about 50 per cent less of our prep, grade one and grade two students doing swimming lessons this term,” Mr Luczak said.
He said it was disappointing so many young students would miss out on learning vital swimming skills due to the price hike.
“We were charged $44 for eight lessons at the old Main Street pool and it costs $57 dollars for seven lessons at the new pool,” he said.
Pakenham resident Karen Taylor said she welcomed the new swimming complex and had eagerly watched it being built, but was disappointed to find the fees higher than the Casey Arc complex at Fountain Gate.
“When the pool finally opened I rushed along to sign my three children up for swimming lessons. To my dismay the prices for the lessons were much higher than I expected,” Ms Taylor said.
She said the price increase at the new pool would result in lessons costing $67 a fortnight for her three children.
“This is $7.39 (per fortnight) more expensive than the pool in Fountain Gate, and at Pakenham if you just want to watch your children but don’t want to swim you still have to pay a fee.”
Cardinia LiFE manager Michelle Young defended the prices saying the centre offered users a brand new, stateoftheart facility and a great aquatic education program for students.
“The YMCA has a commitment to provide quality programs and services to our members and guests and this sets Cardinia LiFE apart,” Ms Young said.
