Cockburn ARC is preparing to celebrate its first anniversary.
Camera IconCockburn ARC is preparing to celebrate its first anniversary. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Cockburn ARC sun smart campaign still making waves as centre prepares to mark first anniversary

Belinda CiprianoCockburn Gazette

WHILE the Cockburn Aquatic and Recreation Centre (ARC) is preparing to celebrate its first anniversary, community members are still talking about its recent sun smart campaign.

Following the viral social media post by an ARC administrator last month, City of Cockburn Deputy Mayor Lee-Anne Smith took to Facebook to start a poll asking residents if the signs, which read “it’s not called Cockburn for nothing, apply sunscreen regularly” with the words burn in bold, should be changed.

“Should it stay YES or NO,” the post said.

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“This is the sign next to our aquatic and recreation centre 50 metre pool.

“Should it stay YES or NO.”

The poll, which has now closed, saw 397 people vote with an overwhelming 76 per cent voting for the signs to stay.

“Job done, everyone’s talking about it,” one follower said.

“Only if it encourages people to wear sunscreen,” Cr Smith replied.

“I’m so not naive. I don’t know it just didn’t sit well with me.

“I think there are just so many other creative messages we could use that don’t offend.”

Meanwhile the $109 million centre is preparing to celebrate its first anniversary with community members on May 19.

Cockburn ARC under construction in December 2015.
Camera IconCockburn ARC under construction in December 2015. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Mayor Logan Howlett said the historic occasion was a positive sign of the centre’s resounding success and popularity in the community and he welcomed ARC regulars and first time visitors to join the celebration.

“More than 1.2 million visits have been recorded at the centre since it opened to the general public on 19 May last year,” he said.

“Nearly 48,000 passes to the waterslides have been sold and its treadmill users have walked the equivalent of about five laps around the globe.”

“This means that the ARC has well and truly achieved its aim of encouraging more people to be more active more often.”

FUN FACTS

In the past year at Cockburn ARC: – More than 1.2 million squats have been performed in body pump classes – The giant bucket has tipped more than 207,400 times in the water play area – More than 3000 nappies have been changed in the creche – Happy birthday has been sung nearly 270 times in the party rooms – About 6500 games have been played on the indoor stadium courts – Plunge Cafe has served nearly 88,000 cups of coffee

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