Copeton Dam water slide to close down after 20 years

The upcoming school holidays will mark the end of an era at Copeton Dam Recreation Park, as the popular water slide closes for the final time.

The water slide at the Copeton Waters State Park in NSW's New England Ranges has been operating since 1989 and will close at the end of the Easter Holidays to comply with a new emergency dam spillway to be constructed in 2011.

Copeton Waters State Park Manager Duane Hawkins said as part of the new spillway that will be constructed by State Water, most of the parks facilities up the northern end would be relocated.

Hawkins explained "the infrastructure in the northern area will be moved to the south-west side of the park, however. due to the age of the waterslide we are unable to move it so it will close down.

Following the closure of the slide at the end of the summer season construction will begin on a new aquatic play park in the new location.

Once construction is complete on the new kiosk, playground and water park the current facilities will close.

Hawkins said although it would be sad to see the waterslide go the proposed water spray park is modern and will be incorporated into the new playground area.

He advised "the upgrade and relocation of the facilities will be a fresh start for the Copeton Waters (and) there will be no disadvantage to the park or it's visitors.

"The spillway had to happen, so this is a really positive change for the park."

Construction of the new facilities will begin later in the year.

Located on the western slopes of the New England Ranges, 550 kilometres northwest of Sydney and 40 kilometres from the town of Inverell, Copeton Waters State Park is a 900 hectare recreational and adventure playground. 

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