Splash into summer at aquatic centre open days

Sydneysiders can enjoy a free dip on the first day of summer with open days at four City of Sydney aquatic centres.

Open on Saturday 1 December from 10am to 3pm, the aquatic centres will give visitors free access to pools, tours of the facilities and fun activities including yoga, inflatables and pool deck massages to celebrate the start of the season.

The four centres are Prince Alfred Park Pool, Victoria Park Pool, Cook + Phillip Park Pool and Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool. The City’s Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, while still operating for current members and visitors, is undergoing maintenance work and will hold its open day in February.

A membership offer means visitors can sign up without a joining fee and receive two weeks free membership, giving them access to all City pools and fitness centres. Parents and carers can book learn to swim programs for their children and get the first two weeks free.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City has some of Sydney’s best swimming and recreational centres, where people can take lessons, get healthy and come together as a community.

“Sydneysiders love summer, and there’s no better time for residents to get back into the water and have fun while also looking after their health and fitness,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning regular, our open days are a great opportunity to explore the many facilities available at each of our aquatic centres.

“Apart from the physical benefits of swimming, the centres are a great opportunity to bring together family and friends from across the city.”

Simone Wagner, a mother of two boys from Potts Point, has been a member of the Cook + Phillip Park Pool since 2009, and says her family enjoys all the facilities on offer.

“Our family loves the communal feeling at Cook + Phillip Park Pool,” Simone said. “It’s very family orientated and there are things for all of us to do.

“The boys learned to swim here and now we all swim together as a family, while the gym instructors make it fun and exciting to get healthy.”

All aquatic centres are fully accessible and offer services unique to each centre, such as group fitness classes and personal training, indoor sports courts, yoga, cafes, crèche facilities and private event function areas.

For a full list of open day activities at each centre, see Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool, Victoria Park Pool, Prince Alfred Park Pool, and Cook + Phillip Park Pool.

For media inquiries or images, contact the City of Sydney media team. Phone 0400 331 027 or email [email protected]

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jack Begbie. Phone 0481 759 580 or email [email protected]