Fond farewell: Felix jumps right into the fun at the Ringwood pool last week. Picture: Sam Stiglec
End of an era: The opening of the second Dwerryhouse Swimming Centre (at the current Ringwood Aquatic Centre site) in October, 1970. Picture: Ringwood & District Historical Society
WHAT DO YOU THINK? How do you feel about the closure of the pool? Will you miss it? Scroll to the bottom of this story to post a comment.
LONG-time users of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre are feeling sentimental, with its doors due to close permanently this week.
This Saturday will be the centre's last day of operation. It will be replaced with a $46.5 million facility. The Ringwood pool has been operating for 40 years.
Emma Henderson, who runs the BabySwim program at the pool, said she was feeling very emotional about saying goodbye to the centre. "I am really sad. I have been going there since I was a child. The new pool feels a long way off."
Another regular pool user, Judy Earley, said she and her husband Chris Kimberley had fond memories of growing up with frequent trips to the pool.
"My first recollection is when we moved to the area in 1988. One of the first parties I went to was at the pool. So I associate that high school connection with friends and being at the pool."
More recently, their 18-month-old son Josh has been learning to swim at Ringwood. "I'm a bit sad to see it go. There is going to be a huge demand on the other pools in the area."
She said that although the pool was "pretty run down" she was concerned the new centre would be too expensive and may result in the site turning into "dead space".
There's still time for people who want to come and farewell the pool. A family fun day is planned for 1-4pm this Saturday. There's free entry to the facility, access to the inflatables, music, roaming entertainment, games and competitions. The pool will close at 6pm and salvaging works begin from Monday.