DEMOLITION BEGINS ON WAVES SWIMMING POOL AT BAULKHAM HILLS
There was a lot of nostalgia when the signal to start construction work on the iconic Waves Aquatic Centre at Baulkham Hills, the official sod turning ceremony, was held on Tuesday, August 11.
Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said she was excited about the $55 million redevelopment of the muchloved swimming centre by Australian company ADCO.
While standing near the remains of the old pool she told the Hills to Hawkesbury News: “It is a bitter sweet moment. I am excited about the upgrade but I have all these fond memories.
“This where I learnt to swim. If you grew up in the Hills in the ‘80s and ‘90s your summers were spent at The Waves pool with your family. You would have your school carnival here and cheer on all your mates.
“I even have a photo of me, when I completed the free learn to swim course here, of Wayne Merton (MP) shaking my hand when I was a seven-year-old presenting me with my certificate.
“I can’t wait to bring (my daughters) here to the pool when it is upgraded. It is exciting to see the pool being re-imagined and being bought to life again.”
The Mayor was at the site in Mileham Rd with her fellow Hills Shire Councillors, Seven Hills MP Mark Taylor and representatives from ADCO to turn the first sods to mark the next step of the multimillion- dollar project. The rebuild will include a FINA Standard Olympic sized swimming pool with 10 lanes, a combined indoor 25 metre learn to swim pool and family leisure pool, swimming clubhouse, and large gym and fitness centre.
It will also have an additional 20 metre warm water pool with spa and sauna facilities, a 25-metre outdoor pool, spectator seating, a café, water play structure and splash pad, plus additional parking.”
The Mayor said It will be set up to be more accessible and more inclusive than ever. “I’m looking forward to residents enjoying this special space soon,” she said.
The Waves Aquatic Centre Redevelopment Project is expected to take between 18 to 24 months to complete, with weather permitting.
ADCO’s NSW State Manager, John Basilisco, said the project will create over 200 jobs and provide a much needed and welcome economic stimulus to the local community.
“We are a 50-year-old Australian company and we truly value the benefits of employing locally and nationally.
“ADCO is truly delighted to be working on this significant community project, which will provide the Baulkham Hills and wider Hills community with world-class, elite pool facilities,” he said.
The Hills Shire Council War Memorial Swimming Centre (as it was then called) was opened on March 11, 1967.
We would love to read and see your memories of the swimming pool at Baulkham Hills. Email your memories and photos to [email protected]. Please put Pool Memories in the subject line.
