Swimming
History of Swimming in Orange
Swimming is very popular in Australia and as early as 1882 the youth of Orange were swimming in a waterhole at Wentworth Park Recreation Ground located near the current racecourse.In 1888 Council erected a bathing shed at a cost of 25 pounds.
In 1901 a public meeting was held to consider the proposal for the construction of new publics baths and in 1902 a Government grant was promised to enable the work on the baths to be carried out. Twenty years later, in October 1921 a public meeting was held to consider a proposal for the construction of public baths. However it was not until 1923 that the building of the new baths commenced in Peisley Street with the final cost over 1000 pounds. The Mayor opened the new swimming baths on 23 February 1924 and the North Sydney Swimming Club gave a demonstration of life saving. Regulations provided for neck to knee costumes!
In the mid 1920s the Orange Amateur Swimming Club was established with a membership of 50 and in 1928 it was reported that the baths are open from 6am - 9pm with a qualified life-saver in attendance and well equipped dressing sheds are provided for ladies and gentlemen.
In 1952 Council decided to construct the King George VI Memorial baths. The Mayor, Alderman White, turned the first sod on 26 March 1955. These baths, now called the Orange Aquatic Centre, are still in use today and are located in Hill Street. They have had extensive refurbishment and addition in the past ten years.
