Scarborough Beach Pool marks first anniversary

JUDE Marinoni was one of the first swimmers at Scarborough Beach Pool and has been a regular in the year since it opened.

The City of Stirling facility marks its first anniversary today with a celebration featuring a giant inflatable obstacle course and a mermaid visit.

More than 230,000 people have visited the pool in the past year, an average of 651 people per day, with its second day of operation holding the record for highest number of visitors with 2189.

Staff had expected to sign up 500 members but it now has a membership base of 1100, welcoming about 95 new members each month.

Mrs Marinoni, of Doubleview, swims laps at the pool and participates in water aerobics.

“My husband has joined and he hasn’t swum in a pool for about 30 years so he is really loving it as well; he goes for a surf and then comes in and jumps in the leisure pool,” she said.

“I have had friends and family members who have brought down international tourists and they have just loved it and have been really impressed by it.”

The pool has won five awards for its sustainable design and Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin said it had become an international tourist attraction.

“We knew when we were building it that it had this potential, but to see it realised and just how well it has been received by the public has been fantastic,” he said.

“It really has exceeded expectations across the board, in terms of member and visitation numbers, award wins and community use.”

Head to the pool to take on the obstacle course from 10.30am to 12.30pm today and see the mermaid drop in for a swim from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

Pool entry fees apply.