INVERELL Shire Council mayor Kate Dight welcomed community members to a “soft” opening of the state-of-the-art Inverell Aquatic Centre early Thursday.

The impressive $25 million complex has been nearly two years in the making, and replaces 70-year-old infrastructure that has reached or exceeded its design life.

“The soft opening was great, and I was surprised how many people were there at 5.45am, ready to go,” Cr Dight smiled.

“They proceeded to do their laps – at break-neck speed I might add. Swimming legend and instructor, Joy Cutler, was the first to dive in.

“My first dip was fantastic. I was bracing for an ice-bath, but it was beautiful and balmy, crystal clear and sparkling,” she said.

The new complex includes an eight-lane, 50-metre FINA-compliant outdoor-indoor pool, with a roof spanning the shallow end, as well as a ‘swim wall’.

The ‘winterisation’ features allow for an indoor heated 25-metre pool that meets specifications for short-course racing during the cooler months.

There is also an integrated 20-metre warm-water indoor program pool with a spiral-lift, movable floor.

The innovative design allows a single pool to provide opportunities for learn-to-swim and warm-water programming, which maximises use by younger children through to older adults.

A new front-of-house area shares reception and a café, as well as moveable retail display areas.

The café is supported by a wet lounge – adjacent to the splashpad – and a dry lounge near the foyer.

There is a range of universally accessible change-rooms, and shower and amenity areas and a multi-purpose activity room for group fitness, community activities and training.

“The complex is amazing,” Cr Dight said.

“It can cater for all seasons with half of the pool indoors, with a giant wall that comes down and encloses the first half, making it into a 25-metre heated pool in winter.

“There is also the enclosed warm-water pool and a little toddlers’ splash pool. The bathroom amenities are absolutely beautiful, with a number of other rooms for training facilities.​

“The entry foyer has tables and chairs with a food outlet and café, which is fabulous because it is outside the turnstile, and people can be seated there,” she said.

Construction of the new complex began mid-2023.

“Construction has taken 20 months, but we commenced with the feasibility study in late 2020,” Cr Dight said.

“This became the technical and design brief in early 2022, followed by lots of community consultation and finally construction procurement later that year.”

Cr Dight said a grand opening will be held later this year.

“We are planning a formal opening after the big splash, play equipment arrives for the centre of the facility,” she said.

“This part of the facility has been held up at the moment, and we are anticipating it to be resolved by May, after which we will have a formal opening.”

Already, the Inverell Aquatic Centre has been confirmed to host the 2026 Swimming NSW Country Regional Meet.

“The Regional Country Meet is a big one, and we are hoping many more carnivals like this will come to Inverell,” Cr Dight said.

“Also, Inverell High Schools have booked in for the next month for their carnivals. But, most importantly, because the pool has been accredited with World Aquatics Accreditation, it means people training for these major competitions can come here.

“For example, world records can be made at this facility because the pool is an extra 30mm longer to allow for the touch pads,” she said.

“With the Olympics in Brisbane in 2032, we are really hoping to attract some of this patronage. It has been designed to meet our long-term strategic sporting needs.”

Words: Bill Poulos

Image: Supplied