![SPLASHING OUT: Gunnedah families had the chance to check out the new facilities when the NVI had a peek on Tuesday. Photo: Ben Jaffrey 20181211BJ05 SPLASHING OUT: Gunnedah families had the chance to check out the new facilities when the NVI had a peek on Tuesday. Photo: Ben Jaffrey 20181211BJ05](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/6vwjsNKWypZeVkMQsfcHaQ/6d4b2af6-e4a2-487e-9413-3e0960801308.jpg/r0_0_4000_2453_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
There’s the chance of a storm, but it’s hoped the weather will hold off long enough for a big morning of fun when the Gunnedah Memorial Swimming Pool reopens.
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Workers were putting in the final hard yards this week to complete the finishing touches in time for Saturday morning’s event.
Some lucky littlies were able to dip their toes in the wet-play area when the NVI checked out the facilities on Tuesday.
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But the chance to be the first to jump in the new eight-lane 50-metre pool has been a more closely guarded privilege.
The council is set to announce the eight people who will get that chance during the opening festivities.
Gunnedah Shire Council infrastructure services director Jeremy Bartlett said the hope was for Saturday to be “a fun family barbecue party-type atmosphere”.
“I think we’ll achieve that,” he said.
The workers were “definitely” pushing to meet the deadline, he said, and some features would be added after the launch, such as picnic tables and shade structures.
But on the whole, he said, work had gone smoothly.
![The pool complex was looking a picture ahead of the grand opening. Photo: Ben Jaffrey 20181211BJ07 The pool complex was looking a picture ahead of the grand opening. Photo: Ben Jaffrey 20181211BJ07](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/Gh2LLJN5ZAAiRUxkHxKdH7/6e358081-fb32-4f70-a33f-bc997786b0f2.jpg/r0_0_3679_2254_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
“As with any construction project, there’s always challenges and some little unforeseen things, but as a general rule the project’s gone really well,” he said.
And the next unforeseen challenge could be a factor beyond anyone’s control.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast for Gunnedah on Saturday was for a 60 per cent chance of showers and the chance of a thunderstorm with heavy falls, with temperatures reaching about 30 degrees.
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The program
The program for Saturday is:
- 11am: Doors open
- 11.10am: Welcome to country
- 11.15am: Official speeches
- 11:20am: Indigenous dancers
- 11.30am: Announcement of 8 locals to have first swim
- 11.40am: U11s race
- 11.50am: U14s race
- 11.55am: Opens race
- Noon: Business relay
- 12.15pm: Pools open for public use
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