Things will be a little different when Murray Bridge Swimming Centre reopens for the summer this Saturday.

All visitors will need to pre-book online instead of just walking in, and children up the the age of 12 will need to be supervised.

Under the new booking system – which was not yet operational on Monday afternoon – visitors will need to chose one of four timeslots on weekdays or three on weekends, and leave when their time is up.

However, the same general admission prices will still apply: $7 for adults, $5 for children, $4 for spectators, and free for over-65s and under-threes.

The Murray Bridge council will introduce the booking system in keeping with SA Health COVID-safe recommendations, which call for the centre to be cleaned between each session.

The changed rules around supervision of children, however, were recommended by the Royal Life Saving Society.

As well as supervision being needed for children under the age of 13, the number of lifeguards on duty at any given time will be increased and extra signage will be put up around the centre to ensure public safety.

At this stage the booking system is expected to apply all summer, though the council will reassess the situation if SA Health changes its recommendations.

• Make a booking: The booking system will be made available at www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au/pool.

• More information about water safety: www.royallifesaving.com.au.

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