Celebrate 40 years of Port Lincoln Leisure Centre

This December marks a significant milestone for the Port Lincoln Leisure Centre as it proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary. Since its inception, the centre has become a cornerstone of the community, promoting health, wellness, and connection among residents. This milestone is in part a testament to the unwavering support involvement of Port Lincoln resident Bill Richter, who was instrumental in turning the dream of a swimming pool into a vibrant reality.

The journey began in the early 1970s when Bill Richter, a police detective with a great love for the water, arrived in Port Lincoln. Bill's background as a strong swimmer, avid swimming instructor, and Deputy Chief Examiner for the Royal Life Saving Society, coupled with his experience in the police diving unit, made him the perfect advocate for a community swimming pool.

By the late 1970s, Bill’s passion propelled him onto the Community Development Board, where he collaborated with local leaders to form The Swimming Pool Investigation Committee. His efforts gained momentum, and by 1981, Bill had successfully navigated his way onto the Port Lincoln City Council. After countless meetings and discussions, a proposal for a six-lane, 25-metre indoor pool, complete with a spa, sauna, and water slide, was submitted to the Labour Government.

After 18 months of anticipation, the government approved the proposal, and the Port Lincoln Leisure Centre was officially on the map. Bill recalls the excitement and challenges of the build, from selecting the location to the unique construction methods used. The initial $960,000 budget eventually grew to $1.5 million, but the local community rallied to support the project. Donations poured in from service clubs, schools, sporting clubs, and retailers.

On December 9, 1984, the Port Lincoln Leisure Centre was officially opened by John Bannon, the Premier of the State.

Bill can quickly recount great stories about the build, from where it could have been built - along Marine Avenue where the Retirement Village is now, or the railway workshop yards - even the Port Lincoln Bowling Club got a mention – down to accounts of how the ‘rammed earth walls’ at the centre were forged from hand tools, the only permitted instrument for the unskilled and unemployed labourers on the job. Bill humorously recalls that the original centre “had a vinyl PVC roof and was a spectacular sight from Winter Hill at night; it looked like a large spaceship!”

Throughout the years, Bill has remained actively involved with the centre, recalling the names of various managers off the top of his head (“Graeme Dyke, Corey Slade, Liz Hill, Meredith Rice, Merewyn Hore, SACRA – and now the lovely Anna Ryan with the YMCA”). Bill is still an avid facility member, regularly attending AquaFit classes and socialising with friends after class.

As the Port Lincoln Leisure Centre celebrates its 40th anniversary, the YMCA is proud to formally recognise Bill Richter for his pivotal role in establishing the centre and his 40 years of dedicated membership and visitation by offering him a complimentary annual membership.

Over the years, the centre has provided generations with a place to learn, grow, and connect—fulfilling Bill’s vision of a vibrant hub for health and wellness. Last year alone, the centre recorded 149,000 visits, generating an estimated $2.3 million in social value for the community.