Public pools are more than just a place to train and compete, they're the lifeblood of a community, says Laurie Lawrence, an Olympic swimming coach and former rugby union player. With the closure of two Brisbane pools, the disparity between the north and south sides of the city in terms of access to public pools will worsen. The Centenary Pool in Spring Hill will close on August 30th, and the Kelvin Grove pool at QUT will be shut down permanently. This is despite the fact that the Brisbane City Council population has grown since the 2021 census, reaching 1.38 million by June 2025. The number of council pools on the northside is already fewer than on the southside, and the situation will get even worse with the closures. Lawrence argues that public pools are essential for community health and wellbeing, not just physical health, but also mental health and rehabilitation. He highlights the social benefits of public pools, such as the opportunity for families to join a community through swimming lessons and the chance for parents to communicate with other parents. The loss of these pools will have a significant impact on the community, especially for lower socioeconomic people who cannot afford private pools. Lawrence describes the Centenary closure as a strange decision, especially given the Olympics' supposed benefits to the community. He argues that the Olympics should add facilities, not take away from them, and that the legacy of the Games should be the addition of beneficial things for future generations. The closure of the QUT pool has sparked a petition with over 1600 signatures opposing the decision. QUT has provided a list of alternative local swimming holes, but Lawrence argues that private pools cannot replace the benefits of public facilities. The demand for public pools remains high, as evidenced by the council's $2 Summer Dips program, which saw over 758,000 residents participate. However, the popularity of public pools is not just about the facilities themselves, but also about the social interactions and community building that they facilitate. Lawrence concludes by emphasizing the importance of public pools for the community and the need for the council and government to fulfill their duty of care to the rest of the community.
