"My wife and I have been running our swim school for 24 years in Goulburn, and we've become a victim of COVID-19."
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These were the words of Ron Neate who, with his wife Jenny, regretfully announced yesterday that they would not be re-opening their long-running swim school in Bradfordville upon the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
Following Goulburn Mulwaree Council's decision to close their indoor pool for renovation, this only leaves one venue offering swimming lessons in Goulburn - A Stroke Ahead Swimming.
"There were a lot of things to consider," said Mr Neate about the decision to shut.
"We've taught thousands of kids from Goulburn and the whole district to swim, and some of those kids have grown up and brought their own kids.
"So there's sadness, but we've made our mind up.
"It can't be helped."
The couple, in their seventies, said they had intended to retire soon anyway, but they had hoped to pass the school on so that teaching could continue.
But the property itself has been recently sold, and the new owners have decided against leasing it out to people to run the swim school, as was their original plan.
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"They have decided to take up residence at the property instead of leasing the residence and swim school to someone else," said the couple in an announcement on their Facebook page.
"Whilst they are prepared for us to re-open the business on a short-term basis, they have advised us that they do not wish to have someone else conducting the swim school long term. We respect their decision, as they have escaped Sydney for the peace and quiet of Goulburn."
But it was the requirements to keep the pool safe from COVID-19 that really tipped them over the edge.
"The difficulties in conducting a swim school in the current climate, with the mandatory implementation and maintenance of a Covid-19 Safety Plan, requiring limited numbers in the facility to maintain social distance, the need to thoroughly sanitise the facility at regular intervals, ensuring non-contact activities as much as practical, minimising sharing of equipment, keeping records of all visitors to the swim school and so on," said Mr Neate.
"As we are both in our 70s, we have decided that the restrictions we will be required to adhere to will be a challenge we are not prepared to face at our stage of life."
He said they had been heartened by the response their announcement had garnered.
"We've had heaps of positive feedback - you realise how valuable you are in the community," said Mr Neate.
The closure will leave a gap in the Goulburn community.
Rick Edmonds and Katie Backhouse, who run A Stroke Ahead, are currently fielding calls from hundreds of people looking to enrol from July 1.
"It's a bit overwhelming," said Mr Edmonds.
"We had the pool empty for repainting, and now suddenly we're opening and getting organised for COVID, plus the extra demand."
But he added "she's all warm and ready to go, and we've got our plan in place" and they will try to accommodate new enrollments.
He said they also hoped to soon have something to offer elderly people so they can do exercise such as walking in the pool.
"In the end, we want to be here to teach kids to swim and survive in this country," said Mr Edmonds.
To find out more call 0422 806 941 or go to A Stroke Ahead's Facebook page.
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