A weekend of celebrations is lined-up to mark milestone anniversaries for the town’s Crown Pools and Fore Street Pool.
Ipswich Borough Council plans to make a splash at its two popular swimming venues on Friday 10, Saturday 11, and Sunday 12 May. The programme of activities includes free entrance to Open Days, fun attractions for children and families, and a chance to win free entry to an exclusive pool party on the Saturday evening.
These special events commemorate the 1984 opening of Crown Pools, the biggest leisure facility in Ipswich, and 130 years since the original Victorian baths first came to Fore Street back in 1894.
The fun starts at Crown Pools on Friday, with a chance to join fellow swimming fans for a sociable gathering over tea, coffee and cake between noon and 2pm.
Saturday 11 May between 6pm and 8pm sees Crown Pools host an exciting private pool party which is by exclusive invite only. For the chance to win a special family ticket, register for the competition draw before midday this Friday, 3 May. The winner and their guests will enjoy an aquatic evening filled with music, prizes, and a special appearance by an enchanting mermaid.
It’s Open Day at both pools on Sunday 12 May, with free entry at Crown Pools from 10am to 4pm and free entry at Fore Street between 11am and 5pm.
Children coming along to Crown Pools will get a complimentary commemorative gift, and can then be entertained by balloon art, face painting and an activity trail, before meeting-up with a mermaid, Spider-Man, and DiGBY the blue octopus.
The aquatic clubs at Fore Street are running demos and displays throughout the day. These include free scuba dive taster sessions between 11am and 1pm, for adults and children aged 10 and above. It’s the perfect introduction to scuba diving within the safe confines of the pool. Members of Ipswich Lifesaving Club have a chance to show their skills and compete in a Lifesaving Championship starting at 2pm.
The celebrations continue throughout May, with prizes to be won in two special fitness challenges linked to the 40th and 130th anniversaries. Entrants can choose to complete 130 minutes of movement every week for the month or make a commitment to walk, swim, cycle, run or row a total of 40 miles during the month to be in with a chance to win.
More information about the weekend of events and month of challenges is available online at Swimming Pools Anniversary Milestones - Ipswich Fit or from Reception areas at Crown Pools, Fore Street Pool, Gainsborough Sports Centre and Whitton Sports Centre.
Did you know?
Ipswich Borough Council is the largest fitness provider in Ipswich. Through Ipswich Fit, we run two Sports and Leisure centres, three Gyms and two Swimming Pools, together with court hire and a variety of fitness classes. These, along with external locations such as our parks and open spaces, play host to a variety of sports and activities for residents, visitors and communities.
