There was plenty of smiles and more than a bit of splashing taking place in Griffith today.
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The new 50 metre outdoor pool at Griffith Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre finally opened up to the public on Sunday, bringing an end to a long wait for the city's eager swimmers.
The line to enter the pool at 10am went down the street, with plenty of residents keen to be some of the first to dive in.
Among these were Tanya Sloane and her eight-year old son Preston, who very quickly found themselves enjoying the water.
"It's just beautiful, i'm actually really enjoying it," Mrs Sloane said.
"I'm loving it, it's really nice to be outside."
Preston said the water was "good", and admitted he would probably be pestering his mum to take him down to the pool a few more times over the next few weeks.
Leisure Services manager Alan Anderson said he was "really excited" to finally have the pool ready for the public.
"All the feedback has been really great," Mr Anderson said.
"We had two high schools have their swimming carnivals here, and now it's open to the public and everyone seems to just be so happy to be outside and swimming."
There was free entry to the centre all day and a free barbeque, which Mr Anderson said was as a thanks to the public.
"It was an opportunity to thank the public for their patience and to let them see the facility," he said.
"It's a great opportunity for them to get down and use it. Because that's what we want, for people to use it and have fun."
Members of Griffith City Council were also in attendence, commemorating the conclusion of a project set in motion more than five years ago.
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Speaking over the loudspeaker, Mayor John Dal Broi described the new pool as "magnificent".
"I just want to thank the project, the managers, the people who built it. They all did a wonderful job," Councillor Dal Broi said.
"It's a facility that will be here for many many years and a facility the community will be very proud of."
Father Andrew Grace from the Sacred Heart Parish also attended to bless the new pool with prayer and holy water.
Monty Jacka
Monty is a journalist at The Daily Advertiser in Wagga. He can be reached at m.jacka@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Monty is a journalist at The Daily Advertiser in Wagga. He can be reached at m.jacka@austcommunitymedia.com.au
