The cost of cooling off in the pool during a desiccating Canberra summer is set to rise over the next three years, after an independent review found the ACT's fees were on average cheaper than the rest of the nation.
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New guidelines for public pool fees published by the ACT government have outlined fee increases for the bulk of pool patrons but savings for some concession cardholders and pensioners.
The territory government said the management and operational costs for Canberra's six public pools had tripled since 2010 while some fees, like standard casual entry, had not changed since 2011.
It cited an independent review conducted in 2016, which found the fees at ACT public pools were below the ACT and national average.
The review also found fees had not increased at the same rate as staff costs and the cost of utilities, which accounted for more than 70 per cent of pool facility expenses.
More than $3.6 million was set aside for public pool management in last June's ACT budget.
Under the new guidelines, the cost of a casual visit for people aged over 16 years would increase in stages from the current $6.50 up to $8 by July 2020.
Concession cardholders would be charged up to $5.60, up from $4.70 and a family pass would rise to $20.40.
Casual entry for pensioners will remain at $4 for pensioners and free for disability cardholders and children under three years of age.
But concession card holders and pensioners who invest in three-month and yearly memberships would experience significant savings.
A year-long full facility membership for pensioners would progressively fall by $157.13 to $610 by 2020-21.
A yearly concessional full facility membership would decrease by $49.13 to $754.
Pensioners who bought a swim only membership for 12 months would pay $360 in 2020-21, a saving of $23.10.
However concession cardholders who purchased the 12 month swim-only membership would pay an extra $84.90 in 2020-21.
A spokesman for sports minister Yvette Berry said the proposed fee increases were "mostly at or below the current wage price index" and were projected to raise an extra $120,000 per year.
The government said the new fee structure gave as much support as practicable to those who needed it while balancing the costs of building, staffing and maintaining the city's pools.
The guidelines apply to Canberra Olympic Pool in Parkes, Dickson Pool, Manuka Pool, Gungahlin Leisure Centre, Active Leisure Centre in Erindale. and Lakeside Leisure Centre in Tuggeranong.
While most people The Canberra Times approached initially baulked at the idea of paying $8 for a casual visit to the pool, all were happy to pay extra if it meant swimming in a pool that was safe and well looked after.
Regular poolgoer Tim McKay said the increase "looked okay" to him as he believed people should pay a fair amount for the facilities they used.
However Mr McKay noted the rise was in the context of other price hikes around the city.
"Look what they're doing to general rates and parking here too," Mr McKay said.
It was Lysel Agrem's first trip to Canberra Olympic Pool on Tuesday with her friends Xavier Arasain, Kadhe She Batalona, Felicia Merdo and James Buensuceso.
She said the price hikes were "fine as long as it goes to maintenance and to make the pool safe".
Ms Berry's spokesman said this summer had been a "big one" for the ACT's public pools.
"So far in 2017-18 there have been 419,201 people through the gates," he said.
"In total this season, Gungahlin Leisure Centre has been the busiest of the year round facilities, followed by Lakeside Leisure Centre, with Dickson Pool the busier of the two seasonal facilities. This is in keeping with previous years."
