Staff and swimmers at Wauchope pool are delighted with the long-awaited upgrade.
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The pool now has a large four-tiered shaded grandstand, with capacity for 150 adults or 230 children. The 1m and 3m diving boards have been completed, as well as new shade shelters.
Staff member Taryn Hilan says so far, the summer swimming season has been amazing.
“It’s a great facility for parents and their kids to come to, and have a day out. There’s a barbecue area for picnicking and a pontoon area for kids to play with. People are loving the diving boards, and the grandstand, which is the coolest place to be right now, with a nice breeze through it,” she said.
Taryn reckons they get more lap swimmers coming to the pool in the mornings now, and numbers at aqua aerobics classes have gone up to 19 in a class.
“It has definitely helped heaps with the community. More out-of-school-hours kids, school groups and children in holiday day care have been coming too, and our ‘learn to swim’ numbers are definitely increasing,” said Taryn.
Her colleague, Jeneen O’Malley says they’ve had a lot of positive feedback from people recently and everyone loves the diving boards.
“We get more people coming from Port Macquarie, specifically for the diving boards. We start school carnivals the first week when schools go back – they used to have to bring their own shelters; now we have the grandstand, which will also help Wauchope Swimming Club on Tuesday nights, if it’s rainy,” said Jeneen.
The aqua scramble is as popular as ever.
Wauchope man, Lance Dekker was enjoying the pool on Tuesday with his children, nine-year-old Cooper and six-year-old Amelia.
“It’s a great asset for the community and the area. Wauchope is a buzzing little spot to come and enjoy the sunshine. My kids love the diving boards, and it gives them a bit of confidence in themselves,” he said.
Work to build a new children’s water play area beside the toddler pool will start when the pool closes at Easter.