Hurstville Aquatic Centre, which opened in 1995, was "a miracle", recalls former council general manager Howard Wallace.
Mr Wallace said there was no money in the budget when the idea was first mooted, but councillors on both sides got behind the project and it was delivered quickly and without the council having to go into debt.
During construction in Penshurst Park, Leader photographer Steve Baccon took an historic photo from the top of National Parks and Wildlife Service offices in Hurstville.
The facility, which was later renamed Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre, proved to be one of the council's most popular undertakings.
In 2004, the centre was extended with the creation of the Johnny Warren Indoor Sports Centre.
Additions in 2012 included four on-deck showers, a unisex toilet for people with disabilities, a pilates room and a fully-equipped creche.
In 2018-19, the centre had more than 1.2 million visits.
The $5.2 million facility was was opened on December 1, 1995.
Admission was $3 for adults, $2.40 for school children and children under five were admitted free. A family ticket covering two adults and up to three children was $9.
Mr Wallace, who was Hurstville Council's town clerk and general manager from 1978 to 2002, said the project was suggested by council engineer Henry Wong, who is now the general manager of Strathfield Council and, before that, Manly Council.
"It sounded like a good idea, but it was going to cost about $5 million and there was no budget for it at that stage," he said.
"I did a report on it to the council and worked out how they could fund it.
"I took some money out of other programs such as resheeting (road resurfacing) and also from the development levy trust fund.
"The miracle was that it was fully paid paid for without having to take out a loan and go into debt.
"There was some opposition from the community about the location.
"Some people were concerned about loss of a park area, but that was all thrashed out and I think most people were satisfied."
The Leader's report on the opening said, "Hundreds of primary school students dived, jumped, flopped or - heaven forbid - bombed in a giant splash to open the $5.2 million Hurstville Leisure Centre".
"Just minutes before, Hurstville mayor Cr Peter Olah - dressed in civic attire - sat precariously balanced in an inflatable surf rescue boat from which he cut the red ribbon to declare the centre open.
"Australian water polo goalkeeper Elizabeth Weekes and Commonwealth gold medal swimmer Stacey Gartrell kept steadying hands on the rescue boat to ensure the mayor wasn't tipped into the pool by excited students.
" 'I'm not sure I have worn the right clothing, but I didn't think my Speedos would be appropriate standing next to these two athletes,' a nervous Cr Olah said before climbing on board the boat."
The centre included a 25 metre training pool, resort-style recreational pool, gymnasium, aerobics room, outdoor gardens, spas and sauna are among the features.
A glow worm shower cave, tube water ride, waterfalls, water canon and platypus water slide offered children entertainment.
Two 75-year old Phoneix palms framed the entrance.
A Peakhurst family had earlier sought approval from the council to remove them from their front yard as they had grown too big.
The application was refused but, when the council began searching for trees for the front of the aquatic centre, the residents made contact again and offered their palms.
The council accepted and relocated the two trees, adding a third smaller Phoneix palm, obtained from an Oatley family.
In 1998, the centre was closed for a week after the cryptosporidium parasite was found in the water.
There were no reports of swimmers becoming ill.
A process of high chlorination and ozone disinfection took place over 48 hours to cleanse the water.
