As she positioned herself on the starting block, adjusted her goggles, and concentrated on her breathing while focusing on the water in front of her, it was a moment 16-year-old Andrea Thomson was determined to savour.

And it was one which she, and many others, had waited almost three years to experience.

One of the most decorated athletes in the Clarence Valley, Andrea was one of the first swimmers to dive into the 50m Grafton Olympic Pool at the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre during its public opening on February 15.

And while the Grafton Cub Scout Memorial Indoor Pool and splash pad are currently in the final stages of construction ahead of the facility’s highly anticipated grand opening next month, locals are enthusiastically embracing the opportunity to access the 50m pool for recreational swimming and professional training purposes.

Speaking favourably of the Grafton Olympic Pool as she swam back to the starting block after completing a couple of warm-up laps, Andrea said she felt unbelievably excited to finally have the chance to test the water.

“I’ve been waiting so long (for this),” she exclaimed.

“It’s an amazing complex, and it’s great to have a 50m pool in Grafton once again.”

Almost every morning for the past couple of years, the teenager has risen diligently at 3:30am and alternated her travels between Coffs Harbour and Maclean to complete multiple training sessions in an Olympic-sized pool each week.

She said the opening of the Grafton Olympic Pool will allow her, and her parents, to drastically reduce the amount of time they spend on the road and also allow them to catch up on some sleep.

With access to a 50m pool in Grafton once again, Andrea revealed she will look to increase her training sessions to “around six or seven” per week, and said she planned to swim 4km during her first time in the Grafton Olympic Pool on the weekend.

As Andrea practised her freestyle, breaststroke, and backstroke techniques in Lane 5, further across the pool in Lane 8, Grafton resident Donna Morris was also enjoying being back in the water.

Describing the newly opened pool as “fantastic”, Ms Morris told the Clarence Valley Independent she will be swimming at the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre as often as she can.

While a flock of Australian wood ducks also attempted to show their appreciation for the Grafton Olympic Pool by dipping their webbed feet into the water, a supervisor promptly persuaded them to consider alternative swimming options in nearby See Park.

In a statement released last week, Clarence Valley Council (CVC) General Manager Laura Black praised the work of the contractors and staff to get the centre open, and said the smiles couldn’t be wiped from their faces.

“We are thrilled to open the doors so everyone can enjoy the 50m pool,” she said.

“A tremendous amount of effort has gone into the redevelopment of the centre.

“From the initial design phase to securing funding and moving through the tender process, the progress made by Hines Construction and our local contractors has been incredible to watch.”

CVC Mayor Ray Smith shared the General Manager’s excitement.

“It’s fantastic that we’ve finished the 50m pool ahead of the end of summer and just in time for the local school swimming carnivals,” he said.

“The 50m pool is a major asset for our region, providing opportunities for fitness, recreation, and competitive swimming.

“I can’t think of another facility nearby that would best this one.”

The canteen and amenities at the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre are also operational, and visitors can also access the grandstand and surrounding picnic areas near the Grafton Olympic Pool.

Panels featuring artwork by local man Al Stark have been installed along the grandstand to provide a striking visual element for spectators.

While the Grafton Olympic Pool is the first area within the complex to open to the public, Hines Construction and local contractors are continuing to work hard to complete the remaining indoor facilities and additional amenities.

The Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre is jointly funded by State and Federal Governments in conjunction with CVC.

A formal opening and fun day to recognise all contributors is being organised for Saturday, March 22.

A full report of the event will feature in the March 26 edition of the Clarence Valley Independent. 

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 19 February 2025.