Engadine Leisure Centre will hold a special open day event on April 6 to celebrate the opening of the brand new $3.7 million facility. Sutherland Shire Council is hosting the event, which is to be a free family fun day.
The new fitness and aquatics facility will be open where you can learn about the exciting fitness programs and events planned in the comings months, or you can experience the new equipment as well as the opportunity to dip your feet in the pools.
For those that might be hungry, there will be plenty of delicious snacks and meals on offer at the brand new ELC Café, plus a Rotary BBQ where you can grab a sausage sizzle on the go. There will also be plenty of fun activities on offer for the kids, entertaining displays from fitness co-ordinators and special swimming competitions. A range of fantastic luck door prizes will be up for grabs on the day including family passes from Symbio Wildlife Park, a prize pack from local Engadine business Sportszone, a ZOGGS Australia Family Pack and other great prizes.
The upgrade has included the installation of disabled access ramps, a new paved entry area, three new gymnasium areas, a crèche and play area, amenities to the lower level, a café and terrace, plant room, cashier desk, administration offices, consulting rooms, cool room and food preparation area.
Electric BBQs and outdoor seating have been installed at the poolside area.
For more information on the open day go to the website on www.sslc.nsw.gov.au or call 9520 5821. Shire’s watering holes among top 10 most violent
The Sutherland Shire’s violent undertones were again brought into the spotlight with two noted watering holes / nightclubs named among the top ten most violent pubs and clubs in the state. Heavily populated Northies at Cronulla and A.K.A. Nightclub at Sutherland were ranked eight and nine on a list of venues that recorded the most assaults at licensed premises last year.
The list, which was complied by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, was taken from police records, which were recorded during the first nine months of last year. Figures showed that Northies had 27 assaults, with A.KA ranked alongside a Newcastle pub with 25 assaults.
Also mentioned on the list were Fusion at Cronulla, which was ranked at 29, and Oatley Hotel at 78. The Mean Fiddler at Rouse Hill was at the top with 51 attacks, with Coogee Bay Hotel in second place and the Commercial Hotel at Dubbo in third place.
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research director, Don Weatherburn, said the figures only recorded assaults inside the premises. He said the figures grossly understated the real level of assaults.
“We know from national surveys generally that the vast bulk of assaults are not reported,” he said. “These would be the most serious assaults and probably the tip of the iceberg.”
Miranda local area command’s Superintendent Mark Hiron said police were already spending a lot of time, effort and money on alcohol related crime. “We police it quite vigorously and we will continue to do that,” he said.
Mr Hiron said police would require assistance from licensees, the council and the State Government to curb the problem. “We are only one of the many people who enforce the legislation,” he said. “Until his community comes to grips with the significant issue alcohol plays, all we’re going to be doing is enforcing it.” Battle of the Bands Grand Final
Sutherland Shire bands have been showing off their music skills in an effort to reach the grand final of the Battle of the Bands. The final battle was held Friday March 14, 2008 at Sutherland Entertainment Centre declaring one of the previous heat winners as champion.
An expert panel of judges selected bands to go through to the final after an initial round of two heats. Special guest band Fifty Sixx, supported by Triple J performed and have scored a number of national tour spots with the likes of Aussie rock champs Something With Numbers and the Matches.
The winning band received a rehearsal package with Studio 57, a professional video clip filmed by Scout TV and the chance to perform live at Sutherland Shire Council’s Down the Park youth week music festival on Saturday April 12, at Dunningham Park, Cronulla. | 
