South Hedland Aquatic Centre reopening not impacted by vandalism

Final works and operational trials are under way for the scheduled official re-opening of the refurbished South Hedland Aquatic Centre on 26th January.

The free Family Fun Day, to be hosted by the YMCA and the Town of Port Hedland, will include pool inflatables, games, food and music.

Vandalism to the facility, which occurred on Tuesday 16th January, and included damage to the Aqua Tower, has been condemned by Port Hedland Mayor Camilo Blanco.

Mayor Blanco stated “I am greatly disappointed to hear of the vandalism that has happened to the SHAC facility.

“The Town of Port Hedland, YMCA and many others across our community have been working around the clock to ensure its successful re-opening in time for Australia Day,” he said.

“Acts like this are simply unacceptable and should not be tolerated in any area of our community”.

“The incident is now in the hands of the Police, and we will return to our focus of delivering a high quality and much-needed facility for the town, and a fun day out for everyone on Australia Day”.

The facility will open without the Wave Rider, which was funded by BHP during the aquatic centre’s redevelopment in 2014 but has had a series of mechanical issues since its installation.

Commenting on this, Mayor Blanco advised “the machine also sat over the existing aqua tower water tanks. To rectify all of the issues with the pool’s filtration, a considerable amount of works must be undertaken to these tanks before opening the aquatic centre again to the public.

“The Town of Port Hedland will store the Wave Rider at its depot in Wedgefield and is in discussions with BHP about its future”.

The Aquatic Centre will open with reduced hours to trial the operation from this Saturday 20th January.

Hedland Waterpolo games will recommence at South Hedland Aquatic Centre from this Friday 19th January.

Images: The South Hedland Aquatic Centre ready for its reopening (top) and South Hedland Aquatic Centre staff ready for the facility's 2017 Open Day (below).

29th November 2017 - SOUTH HEDLAND AQUATIC CENTRE SET FOR POST UPGRADE OPENING ON AUSTRALIA DAY 2018

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6th January 2017 - YMCA WA LAUNCHES SWIM FOR LIFE PROGRAM IN THREE REGIONAL CENTRES

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21st June 2016 - COMMERCIAL AQUATICS AUSTRALIA WINS BIG AT STATE POOL CONSTRUCTION AWARDS

7th April 2016 - YMCA WA AWARDED CONTRACT EXTENSION TO MANAGE PORT HEDLAND LEISURE FACILITIES 

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20th November 2015 - SOUTH HEDLAND AQUATIC CENTRE REOPENS AFTER HYGIENE INCIDENT FORCES CLOSURE

1st May 2015 - PORT HEDLAND’S GRATWICK GYM MOVES TOWARDS 24/7 OPERATIONS