AN Altona swim coach says being barred from using swimming lanes at BayFit Leisure Centre in Altona North has “ripped his heart out” and ruined his 18-year business.
Kevin Charles, an independent operator who coached members of Altona Swimming Club, says a club committee of management decision had left him out in the cold.
A distraught Mr Charles said losing swimming pool lanes had virtually destroyed his business, Swim Fit Altona, which he built over nearly two decades. “It was basically a decision by a committee of eight,” Mr Charles said. “They didn’t consult the members. Most of the members are pretty unhappy about it. I was given an email – after 20 years of my life – from the manager of BayFit Leisure Centre, saying that due to the expansion of Carlile [Learn to swim program] and the agreement with Altona Swimming Club, we will no longer have lanes available for you.
“It ripped my heart out. It’s for my kids and all these adults. You don’t get up at 5am and do this job for 20 years to make a million bucks. The whole thing has been really humbling for me; the amount of people that are fighting for me.”
A petition signed by about 60 parents supporting Mr Charles has been submitted to Hobsons Bay Council. It states: “We want to say that we do not support the swimming committee’s decision to break the links with Kevin … we want to continue swimming and training [at] the pool under him and his assistant coaches. We urge the centre to continue to make sufficient lanes available … so that Kevin can continue to service our families and the broader community.”
Hobsons Bay works and assets director Phillip McDonald said that since the centre’s opening in 2009, the council had leased its operation to Leisure Management Services. “Any queries regarding the day-to-day operation of Bayfit should be directed to LMS,” he said.
LMS CEO Gary Bramich said BayFit did not publicly comment on individuals. He said Bayfit did not have, and never did have, a contractual arrangement with Mr Charles.
Club president Steve Biggs would only say that the club was a not-for-profit organisation which was run by volunteers. “The club makes no further comment.”
