Families from the Ryde area of Sydney will have year-round access to vital water safety and swimming classes with the opening of a new aquatic academy at Denistone East Public School.
The new $6.5 million ‘Aquatic Academy’ is a partnership between Royal Life Saving NSW and the Education Department. The state-of-the-art 25m indoor heated program pool will offer the comprehensive Swim and Survive program both to children at the school and the broader local community.
The pool will give children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds water safety classes that they would otherwise struggle to access.
The NSW Education Department offered a long-term lease arrangement for the venue site, in return for Royal Life Saving NSW building and operating the pool to improve infrastructure for the community.
NSW Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, Hon Sarah Mitchell said the facility was a positive example of the way government and community organisations could work together to maximise community benefit.
“We were delighted to partner with Royal Life Saving NSW to offer better health and water safety options to the community,” Minister Mitchell said.
“As well as the 25m indoor heated pool there are two training rooms in which to deliver vocational training initiatives and community education programs.
“These will be used to deliver First Aid, CPR and aquatic industry training, encouraging more people in our community to be everyday lifesavers.”
The Hon. Victor Dominello MP, Minister for Customer Service and Member for Ryde said the Aquatic Academy would be a great boost for the local community.
“Royal Life Saving NSW has done a fantastic job of consulting with our school and local community to bring this project to life,” Minister Dominello said.
“The NSW Government is proud to partner with like-minded community organisations who help to continually improve community infrastructure and services.”
Royal Life Saving NSW said the new facility was an important addition which would help as the community strives towards the goal of zero drowning deaths.
“This collaborative initiative between Royal Life Saving and the NSW Government provides so many swimming and water safety benefits to not only the children at Denistone East Public School but to the surrounding communities,” President Jim Whiteside said.
“The pool will provide other schools, local children and adults with critical learn to swim programs aligned to the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework.”
Royal Life Saving NSW Aquatics Manager, Bernadette Neal said swimming and water safety skills are the key to preventing drowning incidents.
“We know that teaching a child to swim reduces the risk of drowning and opens up a world of fun in the water,” Ms Neal said.
“Having a local, accessible and safe environment to learn how to stay safe in and around the water is so important. We are delighted to be able to partner with the Government to bring this community facility to life.”
To find out further details regarding the Aquatic Academy including bookings visit: https://aquaticacademy.com.au/denistone-east/
