Winter isn’t time to hibernate with new programs from Ripples

Saturday, 9 July 2022

While the weather may have cooled down, Council’s fitness and aquatics team are ramping up their operations with a suite of new service offerings to the community.

Ripples Penrith Aquatic Centre is trialling winter opening hours this year, providing year-round access to the outdoor pools for the first time in recent history.

Instead of closing for the winter season, Ripples Penrith will continue to operate from 6am to 9am Monday to Friday on a trial basis.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen highlighted the multiple upgrades undertaken at the facility over the last two years that has made this extended opening possible.

“Council has invested in the complete retiling of the main pool, the installation of a new balance tank, and a range of other measures that means the centre operates more efficiently during the colder months,” Cr Hitchen said.

To complement its growing Aquatic programs, Ripples launched an adults Squads program at Ripples St Marys.

Ripples' Squads training program transitions Learn to Swim participants and young swimmers into the world of competitive swimming. The program improves overall fitness, technique and creates social connections for swimmers.

Penrith City’s talented swimmers will now be able to continue their love of swimming into adulthood with Ripples new Adult Training Program of Swimming. Perfect for those who want to improve their fitness, train for triathlons, or just simply have a genuine love of the sport!

Ripples Hydrotherapy Centre has expanded its operating hours by introducing Quiet Time sessions. Quiet Time is for individuals or very small groups to use the hydrotherapy pool in a less noisy environment. This time will provide a more comfortable environment for those with sensory needs so they too can improve their health and wellbeing at Ripples.

Quiet Time operates 9am – 12pm Monday to Friday in the hydrotherapy pool which is located opposite Ripples St Marys Fitness and Aquatic Centre. Previously, the hydrotherapy pool was only open for booked appointments during this time.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen remarked on the improved access the three new initiatives will provide to the community.

“It is fantastic to see the investment Council has made into improving community facilities such as Ripples Penrith, translating into more opportunities for our residents to make use of them,” Cr Hitchen said.

“We know our community is passionate about its sporting pursuits and enjoying the outdoors. These new programs and initiatives will provide a broader section of the community with the chance to better their health and wellbeing right through the year which I’m really proud of.”

For more information about Ripples Leisure Centres, including membership, fitness, aquatics, and health programs visit ripplesnsw.com.au

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Saturday, 9 July 2022.