Barrier Daily Truth

Ribbon cut on grand oasis

Monday, 13th February, 2012

JOINT EFFORT: Senator Ursula Stephens and Mayor Wincen Cuy at the official opening of the Regional Aquatic Centre on Saturday.

By Kurtis Eichler

The Broken Hill Regional Aquatic Centre, the city’s largest public infrastructure project in more than a decade, was officially opened on Saturday.

The curtains were opened on the $11 million complex, marking the end of more than 10 years of work undertaken by three different councils.

Mayor Wincen Cuy told guests at the opening that the centre was a joint vision of Council and the public.

He said the aim was to provide a facility that would cater for the needs of all sections of the community, to host major swimming carnivals and to be the equal of any country aquatic centre with a comparable population. 

“There have been many financial contributions to this facility, but it has been the continued commitment and persistence from the community of Broken Hill to see this project through that we can celebrate this magnificent swimming precinct coming to fruition,” the mayor said. 

He said that while there was much debate and controversy over the years in relation to the pool, the end result was a top class amenity.

“We still have our debates on different things, whether it’s the location, whether it’s the admission price, or whether it’s the amount of money being borrowed,” the mayor said.

“But nobody can deny what a marvelous complex it is.

“I think everybody in Broken Hill should be extremely proud of the facility we have here.”

Not only would it attract tourists, but it would play a big part in drawing people to live and work in the city, he said.

“Not so long ago I’m sure we can all remember that this behind me, the 25m pool and the little toddlers’ wading pool and the 50m pool just here, was the only thing we had here.

“Look at it now.”

Senator for NSW, Ursula Stephens, who was representing the Minister for Regional Australia, Simon Crean, called it a “fantastic project.”

“We need to ensure we have these facilities,” she said. “They keep young families in our towns and they keep young people here and create opportunities for them.”

Senator Stephens said the last time government dollars were spent on swimming pools was in the late 1970s.

“A lot of this infrastructure now has reached its use by date and needs to be refurbished.”

After the Labor won Government federally in 2007, local governments were asked to bring things to the table that were of “critical importance” to their communities, she said.

“This project has been on the books since then so it’s great to see it.”

She also told the gathered dignitaries that the aquatic centre had created 18 jobs.

Plans to redevelop the former North Family Play Centre started in 2002 when a telethon raised $100,000.

Over the next 10 years council received $5 million through the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program, $100,000 from the NSW State Government, as well as donations from individuals and organisations.