Government representatives and senior executives from Whitehaven Coal and Boggabri Coal were joined by Narrabri Shire councillors, swimming club members and community guests at the official opening of the Narrabri Aquatic Centre yesterday.
The centre was officially opened by minister for local government, Don Page.
Technically, the pool has already been open for ten days.
“The Aquatic Centre is not only a valuable facility for residents of all ages, it is an important addition to the kind of infrastructure which will make living in a country town more attractive to people making a decision to move to the shire,” the mayor, councillor Conrad Bolton said.
The official opening comes amid continued criticism over a proposal to increase entry fees across all three council-owned pools in the shire.
Two NSW Government ministers and senior executives from Whitehaven Coal and Boggabri Coal joined Narrabri Shire councillors, swimming club members and community guests for the official opening of the Narrabri Aquatic Centre on Wednesday.
The centre was officially opened by the NSW minister for local government, Don Page.
It was technically a second opening, the first being performed by the mayor Councillor Bolton who cut the ribbon on May 26.
But the major benefactors of the Aquatic Centre, representatives from Whitehaven Coal and Boggabri Coal, the Minister for Local Government and Member for Barwon Mr Humphries were able to attend Wednesday’s event.
“The Aquatic Centre is not only a valuable facility for residents of all ages, it is an important addition to the kind of infrastructure which will make living in a country town more attractive to people making a decision to move to the shire,” the Mayor, councillor Conrad Bolton said. “This impressive facility is for senior citizens, kids, the aged, it’s for therapy and general fitness and recreational swimmers.
“This facility makes us the envy of the neighbouring shires.”
Plans for the $4.8 million project were drawn in 2003, a feasibility study undertaken in 2007 with work starting in 2012 and completion in April this year.
“Mr Tim Drew originally brought the idea into the public arena, and took it forward with the support of others,” Cr Bolton said.
“But it was only when Whitehaven Coal stepped forward with a generous donation and Boggabri Coal made its major contribution that the council was able to leverage this financial support through the NSW government and the project became financially feasible.”
A total of $4 million in community contributions from Boggabri Coal and Whitehaven Coal allowed the project to become a reality.
Senior personnel from Whitehaven Coal and Boggabri Coal were present for the opening
Whitehaven Coal contributed $1.5 million to the Aquatic Centre.
“Whitehaven Coal is a very proud supporter of this fantastic facility,” Whitehaven Managing Director Paul Flynn said.
“When our $1.5 million commitment was made by our Narrabri mine in 2010, the aquatic centre project was in its early planning stages, and we wanted to ensure it became a reality for the Shire. At the time we were looking to support a project that benefited the whole community.
“The pool project met all of these criteria and the Shire now has a state-of–the-art facility that will provide great benefits to the current community and future generations.
“Clean, safe, year-round swimming facilities are a massive benefit to inland communities and their sporting groups. They improve the standard of living for residents and play a role in attracting long-term residents.” Boggabri Coal made a $2.5 million contribution to the Aquatic Centre.
Boggabri Coal mining manager Lloyd Hardy said Boggabri Coal was proud to be part of the project.
“This fantastic facility is great for the community, it will bring people together and helps build a spirit of community as well as making Narrabri Shire an attractive place for people to live” commented Mr Hardy.