By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) received the January 2022 monthly report from Brisbane Young Men’s Christian Association in relation to the operation of the Warwick Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Centre (WIRAC) at the 9 March Ordinary Council Meeting.
As part of the requirements of the contract between SDRC and the Brisbane YMCA for the management of WIRAC, there is an obligation that the Brisbane YMCA supply monthly reports relating to the operations of the facility.
The report stated that Covid-19 has impacted WIRAC staffing, with around six staff having seven days off due to “close contact” and two off with Covid-19 for just over a week.
Three leadership staff also left in the final months of 2021, and three staff left early this year.
In the report, WIRAC stated that “there is an acute shortage of qualified lifeguards and swimming teachers across Australia and this is slowing down the aquatic industry’s efforts to rebuild after the Covid-19 pandemic”.
“We are slowly rebuilding our staff numbers and upskilling staff to continue to provide and maintain service to WIRAC patrons and the community.”
WIRAC also stated that their learn to swim program had been impacted by Covid-19 due to schools changing term dates.
In the report, WIRAC recorded an attendance of 8976 people, in comparison to 10223 in January 2021. The report stated this was down by 12 per cent. The report also showed that numbers have not been this low since 2015, with numbers above 10000 reported every year since 2015.
Regarding asset management and maintenance, the report stated that WIRAC moved into their new reception space in January. There were still a lot of communication and electrical works continuing with their landline phones only coming back into full operation halfway through the month. The report stated that prior to that, WIRAC had been operating on one mobile phone.
The report stated that issues were “unfolding” with the ceiling in the Aquatic Hall. It explained that the problems with air handling in the area had led to moisture getting into the ceiling.
“Some of the plaster above the Grandstand area has fallen down,” the report stated.
“Hopefully, these are just minor issues that can be rectified in the next few months.”
January finances were not finalised at the time of the report, however, December 2021 finances were provided.
WIRAC had a budget of $17915, with the final expenditure coming out to $21873.
