Splashing out for summer
Artist ’ s impression of the new splash pad under construction at Blacktown Aquatic Centre .
Children playing in one of the ponds on the Flushcombe Estate , near today ’ s Lancelot Street .
swimmer who developed under the tutelage of the Blacktown Swimming Club has been Michele De Vries , who learned to swim there at the age of six .
At 14 she represented Australia in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games ( 4 x 100m Women ’ s Individual Medley Relay , 100m Women ’ s Backstroke and 200m Women ’ s Backstroke ).
The clubhouse at the pool is named after her .
Another famous swimmer , Kieren Perkins , broke the 800m Freestyle World Record in 1992 at the Blacktown Aquatic Centre . It was also a training venue for other Olympic athletes during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games .
Today Blacktown City Council owns five swimming centres :
• Blacktown Aquatic Centre ( 1961 ): originally Blacktown War Memorial Swimming Pool
• Blacktown Leisure Centre , Stanhope ( 2003 ): first called Parklea Leisure Centre
• Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre , Emerton ( 1975 ): originally Emerton Pool
• Mt Druitt Swimming Centre ( 1975 )
• Riverstone Swimming Centre ( 1962 ): formerly Norman Wallace Pool
As well as these council pools there are hundreds of backyard pools of all kinds , shapes and sizes within the Blacktown City LGA .
I wonder what memories the Blacktown Aquatic Centre holds for you .
Toddlers will be beside themselves as they whoop-it-up on a new splash pad at Blacktown Aquatic Centre this summer .
Construction on the exciting project , part of Blacktown City Council ’ s $ 5 million Supplementary Works Program , began last month and is expected to be open for Christmas . Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said there will be different water features and play zones for all ages and abilities .
“ The feature will also incorporate art designed by local Indigenous artists . I eagerly await the opening of this wonderful amenity ,” he said , when recently inspecting the site with Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths .
Sandstone block seating and a shade sail will be featured at the pad , located near the outdoor toddler ’ s pool .
Cr Griffiths said the new splash pad is being built in response to community requests .
“ The splash pad will provide plenty of enjoyment for toddlers and young children … I hope the finished project will encourage kids to get active and have fun at the same time .”
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM and Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths visit the site of the future splash pad at Blacktown Aquatic Centre .
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 08 // NOVEMBER 2021 11