But the DCC is looking at other ways it can help schools give their pupils swimming lessons.
The Mosgiel Pool closed on April 9 for winter and there are no plans to reopen it before the new $15million pool is completed in late 2022.
Mosgiel-Taieri principals have raised questions about how they are supposed to provide swimming lessons next summer.
Silverstream School principal Greg Hurley said more than half of his pupils went to the Mosgiel Pool, and Moana Pool in Dunedin was not an option at this stage because it would be too expensive.
The school struggled to find the $12,000 to $15,000 for entry fees and buses to go to Mosgiel Pool. It would cost significantly more to go to Moana Pool, he said.
Elmgrove School principal Chris McKinlay said picking up the tab for the extra transport costs would have been very helpful, so many principals were disappointed to hear transport would not be subsidised by the council.
"It is disappointing, but I do understand their point of view a little bit.
"They probably think if they have to start paying for us to come in from the Taieri, then they’ll have to start paying for all the other schools who transport their kids to the pool too.
"They are trying not to set a precedent.
"We’ll need to have some discussion with them and get some more detail about what those other options are.
"Anything that reduces the cost would be helpful, because the cost is going to go up."
DCC city services acting general manager Robert West said staff were still working through potential options to accommodate Mosgiel schools’ swimming lessons next summer.
"Staff have been in contact with each school to discuss options and offer access to Moana Pool at no additional cost for lessons.
"Some schools have raised concerns about transport costs for trips to and from Moana Pool.
“We acknowledge this is a challenge for some schools. Concerns about transport costs to and from Moana Pool is something that a number of schools across the city raise with us from time to time."
He said the DCC already offered financial support for school aquatic facilities through annual grants, worth $146,000 a year.
It also contributed $30,000 annually towards the cost of swimming lessons for low decile school children via the Skills 2 Swim programme, which was managed by Sport Otago.
"Unfortunately, the DCC doesn’t fund transport for schools to get to any of its pools, and so will not be considering this option for Mosgiel/Taieri schools in the period until the new pool opens.
"We understand that several schools already seek support from a variety of funding agencies to help them with transport costs.
"We will continue to work with Mosgiel schools to assist where we can. We hope to have finalised alternative arrangements, where possible, by October."
