AFTER almost a year of splashing about on lane hire fees, it appears a resolution has been reached between Albury-Wodonga swimming and water polo associations and pool operator Aligned Leisure.
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In the depths of winter, with the mercury rarely making it to double figures, swimming, and especially swimming outdoors, can be the furthest thing from our mind.
But, behind the scenes, the associations as well Albury and Wodonga councils and Aligned Leisure, have been working feverishly to thrash out a deal.
A blue that started in September last year - with threats of boycotts and postponements in response to higher lane fees - looks to have been resolved with Border swimming and water polo associations setting a target 80 per cent of the membership across both sports to maintain a cost neutral pricing regime.
A true negotiation requires both parties to give up a little to meet in the middle. On the surface, that looks to have happened here and a fair outcome reached.
"After many, many hours of meetings and, more recently, with a mutual show of cooperation and goodwill both Aligned Leisure and the action group believe we have arrived at a mutually acceptable arrangement. We feel this is a very achievable target and one that can help boost participation in our water sports," Ovens and Murray Aquatics Action Group spokesman Stuart Baker said.
Last summer there were 758 swimmers and water polo players but only 389 of those participants took out a seasonal pool membership - that's a little over 51 per cent.
It makes sense that swimmers and water polo users would form the backbone of the membership base to support the facility that sustains their sport.
It also makes sense that these associations aren't crippled as a result of the pool operator's noble aim to make swimming more affordable for families.
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