Special day out suggested for hot dogs

Dog owners could be in for a splash as the Waimate District Council considers allowing pooches to take a paddle in the town’s public pool.

A proposed open day for dogs at the Norman Kirk Swimming Pool was tabled by Cr Sharyn Cain at Tuesday’s infrastructure committee meeting.

The suggestion was made by Cain when council parks and reserves manager Graeme Watts presented a report, and stated the pool would close for the winter season on March 29.

She suggested letting pooches in for a paddle on the day the pool was due to close, or afterwards, as community members had asked about holding such an event.

Council chief executive Stuart Duncan said he wondered what regular pool users would think and Cr Sandy McAlwee asked if it was a question of hygiene.

Cain said dog day swims in community pools had been successful elsewhere and asked if the pool was emptied at the end of the season, to which Watts said the pool was emptied before the next swimming season.

Watts asked Cain what other councils did and she said she would send him the relevant details.

Waimate Veterinary Centre vet and partner Ryan Luckman said on Wednesday he was aware of the proposal, and had been contacted by Watts for more information.

‘‘Our gut feeling is that it would be fine,’’ he said of the event.

‘‘Graeme came in yesterday to find out, mainly in terms of health and safety issues.’’

Luckman, also a dog owner, said he had seen similar events elsewhere which had been successful.

‘‘I would go along and take the dogs, it looks like a lot of fun,’’ he said.

On Wednesday, Watts said he was liaising with pool staff and may have more information later in the week, or early next week.