NEWS DESK
Swim teacher ‘best in state’ A FRANKSTON swim teacher has been named the state’s Swim Teacher of the Year. Tabitha Cauchy, a swim teacher at the Peninsula Aquatic and Recreation Centre (PARC), won the 2018 Swim Teacher of the Year award at the Aquatic and Recreation Victoria (ARV) awards. The Pines Forest Aquatic Centre in Frankston North also picked up an award, winning the Facility Management Award (Seasonal) category at the ARV awards. Frankston mayor Cr Colin Hampton praised council-owned subsidiary Peninsula Leisure for its success in growing attendance numbers at both the PARC and the Pines Forest Aquatic Centre. “Frankston is proud to be home to two of the only aquatic and recreation facilities in Victoria which return a profit. Most centres operate at a loss every year,” he said. “Attendance is up at the Pines Forest Aquatic Centre, with the pool experiencing a 56 percent growth over the last two seasons. “In September 2015, council appointed Peninsula Leisure as the managers of the Pines Forest Aquatic Centre. Since taking over, they have reduced entry prices and improved the quality of offerings at the centre. The results speak for themselves. “Visitor numbers overall have exceeded expectations. I congratulate Peninsula Leisure’s board, chaired by Roseanne Healy, and CEO Tim Gledhill, for doing an outstanding job running the programs and creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all abilities.” Since opening in September 2014, the PARC has been recognised at the ARV Awards for its high-quality swimming instructors on three occasions.
Talent pool: PARC’s Tabitha Cauchy won 2018 Swim Teacher of the Year award. Picture: Gary Sissons
New page for parking A NEW automated parking system for Frankston Arts Centre and Frankston Library visitors will ease some of the squeeze on car parking in central Frankston. The mayor Cr Colin Hampton said the new system will increase the number of available spaces in the multi-storey undercover car park, accessible from Young Street. “The new technology will reduce the number of unused spaces by monitoring entry and exits, to free up some of the currently underutilised permanent parking spaces,” Cr Hampton said. “More proactive management of access will make more spaces available during peak event times.” Other improvements include new and clearer signage, more payment options including notes and credit card payment and a direct link to a 24 hour Care Assist support centre for any car park payment issues. Car park attendants will be on-site during the transition period at key busy times during the first two weeks of July to assist with customer service. There will also be extra spaces for bikes and motorbikes. Drivers will obtain a ticket as they enter the car park and on leaving the car park, pay the applicable parking fee at the autopay station before collecting their vehicle. “Library patrons will be able to access up to two hours complimentary parking anywhere within the car park simply by showing library staff their car park entry pass and receiving a validation bar code,” Cr Hampton said.
Frankston Times
2 July 2018
PAGE 3