ON Saturday, February 3, the Galston Aquatic and Leisure Centre (GALC) held its official grand reopening ceremony after undergoing extensive renovations.
The event was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Hornsby Shire Councillor Janelle McIntosh, who represented The Hon Stephen Kamper MP, Minister for Sport, along with Hornsby Shire Mayor The Hon Philip Ruddock AO. The ceremony was attended by local swimmers and members of the community, who were eager to explore the new features and accessibility improvements of the upgraded facility.
The refurbishments to GALC were made possible with support from the NSW Government through a Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund grant. The upgrades included the installation of a new roof and the addition of a large, family changing room, as well as a multi-purpose changing area equipped with hoists and adult changing tables, which greatly improved accessibility for people with disabilities or undergoing rehabilitation. The improvements also included a modernisation of the Centre’s aesthetics, making it more comfortable and family-friendly, suitable for the diverse needs of the surrounding community.
The new GALC is now better equipped to serve the community’s needs, from learn-to-swim families to attendees of popular aqua fitness classes, as well as squad training and events for local swimming groups. The facility now offers a more inclusive environment, ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and safe at the pools.
The new features are essential to ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the health benefits of swimming. Hornsby Shire Mayor, The Hon Philip Ruddock AO, expressed his delight at the reopening, saying that “the Galston Aquatic and Leisure Centre is an important amenity of the area and crucial for our local children to learn to swim and be pool safe.”
He added that the accessibility improvements were essential to ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and safe at the pools. The Mayor also noted that the Galston Aquatic and Leisure Centre has the potential to produce the next swimming Olympian from Hornsby Shire.
Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, said that the upgrades to GALC demonstrate the government’s commitment to delivering quality infrastructure that meets the current and future needs of the community. He noted that projects like these play a vital role in keeping communities healthy, active, and connected, providing a place for people of all ages and abilities to swim for fun, fitness, or their Olympic aspirations.
Councillor Janelle McIntosh expressed her passion for representing and supporting seniors and residents living with disabilities in the community. She was buoyed by the accessibility improvements she experienced at the Centre.
For more about Galston Aquatic and Leisure Centre, visit: hornsby.nsw.gov.au/galc