LAST laps were called at Bexley Pool on Wednesday April 30 — a sad and a happy occasion.
It was a little sad because the pool had served the community since 1976 and its closure was the end of an era.
It was a happy last swim because the old pool will be replaced by a state-of-the-art aquatic centre.
Diehard pool supporters gathered at the centre to farewell the old pool, swim last laps and swap stories.
Some — such as John Heuschkel and Graham Mayhew — were among the first to dive in when the pool opened on March 6, 1976.
They have been regular swimmers ever since, as have their families. Their children learnt to swim there, and they and their wives made friends at the pool, especially while waiting for the children to finish lessons or squad training.
Mr Mayhew, 67, watched the pool being built. He lived nearby and passed the pool on his way to work.
"I couldn't wait for it to open," he said.
Mr Heuschkel, 76, of Bardwell Park, remembers the cold water when the pool opened for the summer season after being closed for the winter.
"It wasn't heated in those days and the season started in October," he said: "It was 16-18 degrees and you could only do about four laps."
Mr Heuschkel and Mr Mayhew praised Rockdale councillor Mark Hanna who made it his mission to get the new pool built.
The old one had had its day: it was leaking about 20,000 litres of water a week and the heating system had become faulty.
"If it hadn't been for Mark Hanna's efforts this pool would have gone years ago and a new one might not have been built," Mr Heuschkel said.
Cr Hanna, who has long lobbied for the new aquatic centre said it would be "superb and one of the best in metropolitan Sydney".
"The centre will cater for all ages and abilities and will bring immense enjoyment and health benefits to the citizens of Rockdale," he said.
"The new centre will play a major role in teaching children to swim."
The only problem facing Mr Heuschkel and Mr Mayhew and the other year-round regulars is where to swim in the meantime.
The new centre is expected to be completed in two years' time.
Click on the comment link below to share you memories of the old pool.
