A big weekend of celebrations is planned to mark the 50th anniversary of Werris Creek swimming pool, which will include a special visit by swimming legend Dawn Fraser.
“While these celebrations are to mark 50 years since the pool was first opened, I’m sure the Werris Creek community will also be celebrating the biggest makeover the pool has ever had during that 50 year period, a $480,000 plus upgrade,” said LPSC general manager Ron van Katwyk.
“Among the improvements are three new water play features in the toddlers pool, which has also gained its own separate filtration unit.
“The old gravity filters have been replaced with pressure filters, new pipework has been installed along with new pumps and electricals in the existing plant room, all to improve the water quality in both pools.”
The 50 year celebrations will get underway on Friday October 5, with a meet and greet at Werris Creek Bowling and Tennis Club from 6pm.
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The weekend’s special guest, Dawn Fraser AC MBE, will be on hand, along with another special guest. Gillian Howard (nee, de Greenlaw) was a team mate of Dawn’s at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
“Gillian was only 14 years old and at the time, the youngest person to ever represent Australia at the Olympics,” Mr van Katwyk said.
Her visit is particularly special as she visited Werris Creek in 1968 when the pool was opened and donated a Swimming Trophy and is coming back to celebrate 50 years on.”
On the Saturday there will be a street market at Junction Park from 8am including breakfast from 8.30am cooked by Werris Creek Swimming Club members.
Werris Creek Library will stage a ‘Knitted Exhibition’ from 9am.
A street parade along Single Street, from North Street to Coronation Avenue, will commence at 10.30am.
“The Lions Club and Rural Fire Service will be cooking up a BBQ at the pool from 11.30am and a photo/memorabilia exhibition can be inspected,” Mr van Katwyk said.
“Then from midday there’ll be live music with Back Trackin’ plus the Signal Singers.”
The Official Ceremony and unveiling of a plaque celebrating the pool’s 50th anniversary will commence at 1.30pm, when Dawn Fraser will be joined by Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson and the LPSC Mayor for the unveiling.
There will be a free bus running from the Post Office to the Swimming Pool from 11.30am to 1pm to make it easy for patrons to get to the pool.
At 3.30pm the bus will take patrons back down to Single Street and to the Bowling and Tennis Club.
A celebration buffet will be held at the Bowling and Tennis Club from 6pm with the official dinner and presentation night getting underway from 6.30pm.
“This is another great example of the power of community at work and I congratulate everyone involved in making a vision a reality,” Mr van Katwyk said.
“Come along, participate and have some fun at the celebrations.”
