A pool party was the perfect 50th anniversary celebration last Sunday for Sunbury Aquatic and Leisure Centre, a training ground for the likes of Olympic gold medallist Chantelle Newbery and Paralympion Chris Mullins.
The centre, which also helped develop AFL footballer James Kelly and Olympic swimmer Samantha Hamill, opened on March 6, 1966.
What started as a 50-metre outdoor pool became a major sports centre in May 1989, when the then Bulla council unveiled an indoor pool, gym, spa and steam room, and childcare centre. An expanded gym was opened in 1992, with another expansion completed in 2006.
A day after the celebrations Hume mayor Helen Patsikatheodorou helped announce the centre has been earmarked for a $4 million upgrade to include a warm-water pool.
People are invited to the cutting of a giant birthday cake at the centre at 10am this Friday.
