The Mossman Meteors Swimming Club (MMSC) have been given access to the Mossman Swimming Pool after Council determined to amend the lease terms and conditions.

Following the prejudicial matter presented at the closed session of the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 3 the Meteors were provided access to three outside pool lanes for morning and afternoon sessions five days a week.

The club may also access the facilities once a month for their Friday club night to conclude by 8:00pm.  This provision of access is for the full year with the exception of public holidays.

Council also resolved to settle the dispute regarding coaching rights by allowing the MMSC to appoint a coach of its own choosing.

“Being back in the pool is like a home coming, the pool was originally built because of the Mossman Meteors Swimmers and being involved with the clubs re-establishment has been a great journey so far,” advised coach Bill Evans.

Evans said it has taken a while for the club to dip their toes back into the pool.

“We have been working on regaining access to the pool for almost four months now, or six years, that’s how long we have been without a club,” he said.

“As a club we will now be able to structure a performance program based on sound long-term athlete development models and establish a community club that is there for the entire district.

“The club has produced some great athletes in the past and with Ben Eagle as our senior coach I’m confidant we can again have several athletes from the district representing at both state and national levels in the near future,” said Evans.

Issues around the club regaining access to the pool were under the existing conditions of the lease. Council exercised its rights to extend the opening and closing hours to accommodate the Mossman Meteors Swimming Club, advised Councils’ general manager of Corporate Services Darryl Crees.

“All parties  had to reach an agreed position prior to the MMSC training at the Mossman Pool.

“The swimming pool is a great community asset and  was built so all residents and visitors could access the facility,” advised Crees.

The MMSC is now permitted to access three outside pool lanes including the associated pool deck.  The hours of access for morning sessions five days a week are 5:30am to 7:30am and afternoon sessions five days from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

In the meantime MMSC has been utilising the QT Resorts pool over the past few months which Evans claims has seen a resurgence in the interest of performance swimming.

“We would like to acknowledge the support of the QT resort in Port Douglas they have been a great support of the club and having access to their pool over the past couple of months has been great in reforming the interest in performance swimming in the area,” he said.

Council said it is supportive of all sporting clubs and organisations and their endeavours to encourage healthy lifestyles and provide opportunities for local athletes.

Newsport contacted the managers of the Mossman Bicentennial Swimming Pool who declined to comment before speaking with Council first.

The next swimming carnival is scheduled for in the Atherton in January 2016.