Craigieburn, it’s time to make a splash.
After years of planning and construction, Hume council’s new $35.5 million leisure centre at Craigieburn Anzac park opened its doors at 5.30am yesterday.
The centre features a 50-metre pool, warm water pool for rehabilitation and exercise, a toddler pool, a learn to swim pool, an aqua play zone, spas, sauna, steam room, group fitness studio, gym and a mind, body and soul studio.
There are also two water slides 14 metres off the ground – the turbo twist which carries up to two people in a raft over 130 metres, and the viper which is a single-person body slide reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h.
Hume mayor Drew Jessop said the community had been eagerly waiting for Splash Aqua Park and Leisure Centre to open.
“It is unique in terms of community expectations. I think it is the most eagerly anticipated facility the council has ever created,” he said.
“We went to all the major metro leisure centres and got the best ideas and layouts and combines that with a budget of nearly $40 million and started designing our centre.
“It has got everything you need in a leisure centre.”
Already, close to 2500 people have signed up as members.
More than 2000 children have signed up to learn to swim at Splash, with the centre set to run over 400 lessons each week.
Centre manager Savva Giannikos said 100 lifeguards would work at the centre during the summer peak, with up to 25 lifeguards on deck at any one time.
He hopes the centre will help bring about positive changes in people’s lives by encouraging them to exercise more and making it easier to socialise.
“This is the perfect spot to put a facility, not only community-wise but with the [Anzac] park. We will engage in those spaces with our members.
“My team is buzzing to get this place open.”
