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Royal Life Saving NSW has today opened a new $6.5 million ‘Aquatic Academy’ at the Denistone East Public School in in north-western Sydney.

Developed in partnership with the NSW Department of Education, the 25 metre 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 also give children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds vital water safety and swimming classes that they would otherwise struggle to access.

Development of the facility was made possible by the NSW Education Department offering a long-term lease arrangement for the site, in return for Royal Life Saving NSW building and operating the pool to improve infrastructure for the community.

Opening the facility today, NSW Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, Sarah Mitchell explained that the facility was a positive example of the way government and community organisations could work together to maximise community benefit.

Minister Mitchell advised “we were delighted to partner with Royal Life Saving NSW to offer better health and water safety options to the community.

“As well as the 25 metre 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.”

Royal Life Saving NSW President, Jim Whiteside said the new facility was an important addition which would help as the community strives towards the goal of zero drowning deaths, explaining “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.

“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.

Neal added “we know that teaching a child to swim reduces the risk of drowning and opens up a world of fun in the water.

“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.”

Lower image shows the Aquatic Academy at the Denistone East Public School under construction.

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