Regular hydrotherapy at Armadale Aquatic Centre has helped keep her mobile.
The pool is not just a place of recreation for Mrs Spowart, it is necessary for her ongoing rehabilitation and that is why she was one of 3156 people to put their name to a petition asking Armadale City Council to provide a year round heated swimming pool by the end of 2015.
The petition was presented to Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones by Armadale MLA Tony Buti along with members from Armadale Water Walkers, Armadale Masters Swimming Club and Armadale Kelmscott Swimming Club last Wednesday.
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READ NOWResidents raised concerns over the water temperature, the closure of the pool for half the year, the outdated facilities, and the lack of shelter from wind and sun.
Mrs Spowart said the water temperature in the morning was ‘freezing’ and the facilities didn’t cater for the health needs of people recovering from injuries.
‘I’ve lived in Armadale for over 32 years and I have paid rates for that time,’ she said. ‘I should not have to travel miles to other places just to find a pool with the proper facilities and water temperature when we have a pool here in Armadale.’
Armadale Masters Swimming Club registrar Graham Hicks said the club found it hard to maintain consistent membership when the pool closed for six months of the year.
Armadale Kelmscott Swimming Club member Grace Jones (14) had to give up swimming competitively two years ago, despite achieving top placings at state level, as the travel to other swimming facilities when Armadale Aquatic Centre was closed became too much.
Armadale MLA Tony Buti, who has been campaigning for upgraded pool facilities since 2012, said he hoped the petition would demonstrate the pressing need for a year round heated swimming pool.