All of the pools in the Hepburn Shire have previously been operated by the YMCA who, up until mid 2015, also operated the Ballarat Aquatic Centre.

In September The Courier reported management of the Ballarat Aquatic and Life Centre would be handed back to the City of Ballarat.

This was less than three years after a decade-long contract was controversially awarded to the YMCA.

Confidential crisis meetings were held between the YMCA board and the council.

YMCA Ballarat chief executive officer Stephen Bendle said the group had reviewed its management and decided to focus on other, non-infrastructure based, areas.

“We offered to assist Hepbrn with any transition and to provide assistance,” Mr Bendle said.

“We are just trying to focus on what we do best.” 

Creswick ward councillor Don Henderson quashed rumours management problems would prevent the town’s toddler pool from opening this summer.

Cr Henderson said the pool had previously been sub-letted by the YMCA to the caravan park – meaning the pools usual operators were ready to go.

“The toddlers pool will be open in Creswick. This won’t stop pools from operating,” Cr Henderson said. 

He also confirmed he would “keep cracking” on ensuring a much awaited outdoor swimming pool was delivered to Creswick residents.

The next push is expected to occur during the 2016-17 budget announcement.

“It is not forgotten,” Cr Henderson said.

Meanwhile, preliminary works on Creswick’s splash park are underway with machinery on-site laying the tarmac.

A tender has yet to be awarded and a confirmed date of the park opening has not yet been announced.

A Hepburn Shire Council spokesman said all pools were expected to open in the first week of December.

General manager community development Kathleen Brannigan confirmed council was finalising arrangements for the upcoming pool season.

Pool use has plunged dramatically in the Hepburn Shire.

Patronage was down by close to 10,000 in the 2014-15 financial year.