The new pool season can’t come fast enough for Cobar’s new pool manager, Jim-my Neyland, who’s itching to get to work.
Jimmy and fiancé Simone Knight will be taking on the management of the Cobar Me-morial Swimming Pool for the 2022/2023 season for the L&R Group who are currently contracted by Cobar Shire Council to run the pool.
In addition to running the Cobar pool, the L&R Group also have the pool contracts at Cootamundra, Holland Park, Lake Cargelligo and Ungarie.
Simone, who spent a lot of hours at the pool over the past few seasons at squad training with her son Henry, said she’d entertained the idea of managing the pool at the end of last season.
She’d been shadowing Angus Westaway (from the L&R Group) at training with Henry to pick up some training tips and, when Angus mentioned he was looking for a new manager for Cobar, Simone told him she was interested.
She thought more about it, spoke to Jimmy, (who jumped at the idea) and then to others who had previously managed the pool, and together they decided to apply.
Simone had planned to take a break from her primary school teaching job however due to teacher staff shortages, she wasn’t able to get time off.
Jimmy however was still “super excited”.
After doing shift work at the mines for the past 10 years, Jimmy said he was keen for a lifestyle change.
“I love being outside, out in the sun and talking to people,” Jimmy said.
He was thrilled when Angus offered him the manager’s role.
“I’m looking forward to seeing lots of kids and families coming to the pool,” Jimmy told The Cobar Weekly.
“My goal is to do a really good job and get people through the gates to enjoy what the pool has to offer.
“I hope they’ll make use of all the facilities, not just the pools, but also to kick a footy on the lawns, jump on the slide, use the barbecues or hook into a snow cone and hot chips from the canteen.”
Jimmy’s already got stuck into the ground maintenance, he’s mowed the grounds three times in the hopes of having the place “looking really schmick” when it opens in six weeks’ time.
He also has a focus on running a well stocked canteen and has some experience in that area as he previously owned and operated ‘The Daily Grind’ café in Nyngan.
Jimmy and Simone are also keen to work with the Cobar Shire Council youth team to offer a variety of fun events for families over the coming season.
Jimmy also hopes his football mates, netball teams and other sports will also use the pool as part of their pre-season training programs.
“I’m happy to stay open a bit later to accom-modate them,” Jimmy said.
Over the next few weeks Jimmy and Simone will be undertaking their bronze medallion life saving certification, a Pool Operations course and getting familiar with how the pool plant works.
And Jimmy will of course be spending lots of hours on the mower.
“The pool is a massive asset for this town and I want people to say great things about it and keep our reputation as having the best pool in the Western area,” Jimmy said.
