Making a big splash down the decades

Mar 15 2008 by Paul James, The Journal

A GROUP of primary school children will be the first swimmers to try out the region’s newest swimming pool on Monday.

The youngsters from Redby Primary School in Fulwell have been chosen to officially take the plunge at the Olympic-sized Sunderland Aquatic Centre (main picture on this page) being the first to enjoy the new 25m inflatable which will be used regularly during family fun sessions.

To mark the centre’s opening, we have gone into our archives to bring you pictures of other pools in the region which have provided enjoyment for the region’s youngsters over the years.

As well the now defunct open-air pool at Tynemouth, there are children enjoying themselves in dinghies in an It’s A Knockout competition in West Denton.

When the new centre opens in Sunderland next month, it will boast a 10-lane, 50-metre pool with moveable floors that can vary the depth of water in any part of the pool.

The £20m centre will also be one of the most accessible swimming pools in the country, trailblazing the latest disabled accessible features which mean that everyone will be able to take advantage of its superb facilities.

To see more swimming pictures, see the gallery on our website: www.journallive.co.uk.

To buy pictures taken by our photographers, go to www.journalive.co.uk/buyaphoto or telephone (0191) 201-6001.