Kalumburu Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool months from completion
Kimberley Green Constructions has commenced work on a swimming pool complex for the remote Aboriginal community of Kalumburu. The pool, to be managed by the Department of Communities and Royal Life Saving WA, was an election commitment by the State Government which will provide educational, health and social benefits for the Kimberley community.
The pool is the eighth constructed in remote communities in Western Australia, and will ensure local children can take part in Swim and Survive lessons, Swim for Fruit programming and swimming carnivals, while local teens and adults will have access to vocational training in first aid and aquatic rescue which will provide them not only with vital life skills but will also open up employment opportunities.
Experience from the existing remote aboriginal pools shows that they greatly contribute a community's sense of place and provide a meeting area which encourages connection, inclusiveness and togetherness.
Housing Minister Peter Tinley says the pool will make a real difference. “The Kalumburu swimming pool is an important project and represents a significant investment in the future of the community. Research has shown that having pools in remote Aboriginal communities leads to improved physical, social and psychological health for residents. It also promotes general wellbeing and educational outcomes - particularly for young and adolescent children."
Remote Aboriginal communities have also embraced the 'no school, no pool' policy and school principals have reported a marked increase in school attendance, as well as an overall improvement in student behaviour.
The Kalumburu facility will include a six lane 25 metre swimming pool, as well as a toddler pool with beach entry for disabled access. There will also be administration and ablution buildings and a three-bedroom home for the swimming pool manager.
Kimberley MLA Josie Farrer says the Government’s partnership with Royal Life Saving on the remote pools is hugely beneficial. “The RLSS plays a crucial role in providing pool management and lifeguard training courses at six remote community pools in WA - and in the past 12 months has helped 46 Aboriginal trainees achieve pre-vocational pool lifeguard qualifications. This is a great outcome in terms of offering training that can lead to better employment outcomes for local people.”
The $6.6 million project at Kalumburu is scheduled for completion in late 2019.
You can find out more about the Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool Project at the link below.
