Ripples indoor pool named in honour of Alan Brown

Friday, 18 December 2020

The bustling, family-friendly indoor pool hall at Ripples Leisure Centre St Marys has been named in memory of a man who made a splash at the venue and left his mark on the Penrith community.

The late Alan Brown was a part of the Ripples family from its inception, starting out as a founding volunteer member when the board was formed in 1994. Mr Brown was then a representative of the Penrith Swim Club and went on to spend the last 12 years of his life as Chair of Ripples.

A long-time Penrith resident, Mr Brown was also on the board of performing arts school McDonald College and in a prominent position at Australian-owned company Fredon, where he learned the skills he brought to Ripples by way of ensuring strong, financially viable business operations.

Family members joined Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown OAM, Councillors Greg Davies and Ross Fowler OAM and other guests at Ripples St Marys on Thursday (17 December) for the official pool naming ceremony and unveiling of the plaque.

“I am proud to announce that from this moment on, this pool which is popular with patrons young and old, will be known as the Alan Brown Memorial Pool, in celebration of Mr Brown’s life and his contributions to Ripples and our City,” Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown OAM said.

“During Mr Brown’s tenure, the St Marys complex grew from a community pool to a thriving leisure centre – he put his heart and soul into this place as the role saw him do everything from attend board meetings and deliver presentations to Council through to recruiting General Managers whom he mentored over the years,” Cr McKeown said.

“On behalf of Council, I truly hope seeing Mr Brown’s name at this venue is a wonderful reminder for those who knew him, and that it creates conversation about his legacy among those who did not.”

Ripples Leisure Centre offers several aquatic, fitness and well-being services at its thriving St Marys and Penrith venues, with a Hydrotherapy centre attached to the St Marys site.

Awarded the 2019 National AUSTSWIM Recognised Swim Centre of the Year last year in addition to awards from Swim Australia and the Australian Swim Schools Association, both sites have had splash pads installed in recent years, which prove popular during summer.

To find out about Ripples’ learn to swim programs and other services visit ripplesnsw.com.au.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Friday, 18 December 2020.