Marlborough District Council Media Statement

Picton Pool becomes Poolsafe.

The Picton Pool at Queen Charlotte College is now one of 149 other pools around New Zealand which is Poolsafe accredited.

The Picton Pool, with funding support from the Marlborough District Council, is open for public use after school, weekends and school holidays. The Council requested the pool gain the accreditation to ensure it meets all the health and safety criteria for public pools set by the NZ Recreation Association (NZRA).

The PoolSafe Quality Management Scheme is an independent assessment, covering things like lifeguarding qualifications, regular training and water treatment standards.

For the last two years the College and the Council have been working with a facility management company, Community Leisure Management, to bring practices up to the standard.

“The first step was to make sure the lifeguards were trained and qualified in Pool Lifeguarding and first aid. Then, with the school’s help, we have put policies and procedures in place including a skills and training programme for staff,” says Community Leisure Management spokesman Dave McKenzie.

Council Reserves and Amenities Manager Rosie Bartlett says because the College pool is open to the wider community outside school hours it was important to be assured that public safety standards are being met.

NZRA Aquatics Project Manager Tracey Prince says being rated by the PoolSafe Quality Management Scheme gives the Picton community the confidence that the pool has been independently assessed as meeting standards and managing risks in the safest manner.

ENDS.

© Scoop Media