BILGOMAN Aquatic Centre is gearing up to celebrate its Golden Jubilee with a community open day this Saturday.
Marking 50 years since the pool first opened in 1968, Shire of Mundaring President John Daw said the free-entry event would feature a range of fun activities for children and families to enjoy.
“Bilgoman Aquatic Centre has long been a treasured locale in the hills community and its 50th anniversary is an historic occasion,” he said.
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READ NOW“The Shire is pleased to offer free entry to the pool from 7am to 7pm, as well as a variety of fun activities, which are sure to make for a great family day out in the sun.
“Shire councillors and staff will also be on hand to serve-up a delicious, free sausage sizzle.”
Manager Chris Blankley said the pool’s anniversary was the perfect time to reflect on its history.
“There have been a lot of changes and improvements made to Bilgoman over the years,” he said.
“In 1990 a gas heater was installed, followed by a roof structure in 1995, entry in 1996, solar power in 1997 and more recently a $2.7 million upgrade in 2014.
“Many generations have grown up learning to swim at Bilgoman, taking part in school swimming carnivals, and visiting in summer with family and friends.”
To mark the occasion, the pool’s famous diving girl “Billie Gorman” is sporting a new pair of golden togs.
The mannequin, whose appearance outside the Bilgoman Aquatic Centre signals to the community that the pool is open, has endured a few misadventures including an attempted abduction – only to be found a little worse for wear on the other side of Great Eastern Highway.
In another strange coincidence in the early 90s, Billie disappeared the same night a Ronald McDonald statue was reported missing from a nearby location.
Rumour has it Billie and Ronald were last seen alongside a train track in Perth’s Hills region – but sadly, the sighting could not be verified and they never returned.
The facility averages around 90,000 visitors per year, and has welcomed more than 5.5 million visits through its gates over the past 50 years.
The official cake cutting will be held at 11am.