Bayside Council’s Angelo Anestis Aquatic Centre is no longer accepting cash, affecting many kids and older people in their community.

Statement from Bayside Council:

Bayside Council assumed management of Angelo Anestis Aquatic Centre on 30 June 2023.

A risk assessment was undertaken as part of the transition process, and it was determined that the centre would reopen as a cashless operation and offer customers alternative methods of payment. The safety of our staff and pool visitors is paramount and a noncash environment removes one potential threat.

A Cashless operation is also consistent with several other of our Council facilities including Botany Golf Course, Botany Aquatic Centre, Libraries and Child care centres.

For members and guests, the Angelo Anestis Aquatic Centre provides direct debit (for membership), multi-visit and pre-purchased passes options for their convenience. There are also vendor machines for refreshments that accepts cash and card which is managed and operated by a third party vendor. Numerous providers including Australia Post provide pre-paid cards which enables a person to load their cash onto the card to be used for various transactions.

Over 30 schools that have booked school carnivals for the remainder of 2023 and early 2024 have been contacted and have expressed no issues regarding the kiosk or centre being cashless.

Angelo Anestis has over 1200 learn to swim participants attending classes each week, 950 gym members with over 6500 visits to our fitness centre per month, 34 group exercise classes are provided per week and there have been thousands of visitors of all ages and abilities attending the centre for various structured and unstructured activities. All payments to access the centre have occurred through cashless methods including by card and/or direct debit.

Bayside Council will continue to seek and monitor its processes to meet the needs of the community while balancing the risks of operating a public aquatic facility.

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