LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
I OBJECT in the strongest terms to the proposed closure of the creche facilities at the Aqua Energy complex.
I have used the creche for my three boys, since my eldest was six weeks old. He is now aged six.
It has provided a wonderful service, which has allowed me to stay fit and active, which is challenging with young children.
I am sure I am not alone in saying that my fitness, health and positive mental outlook is largely due to being able to exercise regularly.
I have also been able to enjoy swimming lessons with my children while their siblings were in the creche.
My sons love the creche and are always happy to go there.
The staff are absolutely wonderful and treat my children like their own.
The creche is a happy place that is well attended.
Frankly, without the creche, the gym and group fitness classes would be empty.
This seems to be a short sighted decision to save a small amount of money.
Many of the classes at Aqua Energy will not be viable if parents have no access to cr che.
This has a flow-on effect to other users of the facilities and Aqua Energy employees.
I fully understand that it is not the purpose of Aqua Energy to provide childcare, but it is the purpose of Aqua Energy to ensure that leisure facilities are available to the whole community.
This community includes parents of young children.
The best way to provide these facilities is to ensure childcare is available at the complex.
I am sure council would not purposely introduce policies that restrict easy access and social inclusion.
There is also the wider issue of obesity and fostering fit and healthy lifestyles, presumably the focus of Aqua Energy.
The Healthy Wellington policy which states ‘health is the top priority’, with two of the major objectives of this policy being to improve “social inclusion and social connection” and increased “physical activity”.
The proposed closure of the cr che effectively excludes a large section of society from accessing the council’s facilities and I think that is unacceptable.
Sadly, this service is an easy target.
If access was cut for elderly or disabled clients there would be outrage.
We do not seem to accommodate the needs of babies, young children and their carers in our society.
The amount of money that is to be saved is considerably small ($70,000 per year).
This compares to the $15 million that it’s costing for the new ‘Sale hub’ and the new Desailly St headquarters, and the $1 million that was spent on the Sale mall upgrade.
The comments from the mayor on the “moderate usage rates” and “alternative local childcare” simply prove that she is completely out of touch.
If there are only moderate usage rates, why is it always necessary to book well in advance to obtain a creche spot?
I would also love to know where these other local childcare facilities are that allow you to enrol your child for just an hour?
For me it is not simply a matter of waiting for my husband to get home from work so I can access the gym or pool.
He, as do many others in this community, works in a fly in, fly out job.
Without access to the creche that small amount of time to do something for myself will no longer be possible.
I seek reassurance that all other possible options have been fully explored and that this is more than a knee jerk reaction, in an effort to cut the budget.
For example, has council looked at increasing charges, better promoted services or changed opening hours?
If so, what conclusions have been reached on these options and why?
Simply put, no creche equals cancelled memberships and cancelled swimming lessons.
I am sure that a budget shortfall can be rectified without permanently and needlessly sacrificing a valuable service and excluding large numbers of people from access to local leisure facilities in the process.
