THE swim season is just around the corner with the Lowood Swimming Pool the first facility to open in Somerset.

The Lowood pool will open on Saturday, 31 August, two weeks earlier than normal, resulting from a highly successful 2023/2024 season.

The Kilcoy Aquatic Centre and Toogoolawah Swimming Pool will open to the public on Saturday, 14 September coinciding with the first day of the school holidays.

The Toogoolawah Swimming Pool will also be open for an additional three hours over the weekends, opening from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and from 10am to 5pm on Sundays.

Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt said the small changes were in response to demand.

“The community usage of the Lowood pool has been tremendous however it’s important for the community to know that due to the current design of the facility a close down period during winter is required to allow significant maintenance works to occur,” Cr Wendt said.

“In addition, the pools were not designed to operate every day of the year and substantial upgrades, and associated costs would be incurred to make that a reality.

“What Council can do, and is doing, is trialling an extension to the season so users get the most out of the Lowood facility.

“The Lowood pool will not only open two weeks early but it will close two weeks later than previous seasons with the season wrapping up on 3 May 2025.

“This trial is, in a way, to compensate users, who were impacted by a shorter season in previous years while upgrades were being completed.

Cr Wendt said the extended opening hours as well as ongoing upgrades and improvements to aquatic facilities in the region was part of an ongoing commitment from Council.

“Council is committed to providing quality, accessible and enjoyable recreation assets in the community,” he said.

“During the off-season, the Lowood Swimming Pool facility received upgrades including a new car park, landscaping works and general safety upgrades and the Kilcoy Aquatic Centre has repair works carried out and all three pools have been serviced and inspected in preparation for the upcoming swim season.”

Council owned swimming pools are all managed independently.