Around 250 people attended the park on its opening day [Saturday, November 3], with a similar figure turning up yesterday.

“It’s what we’ve hoped for in the first weekend of the park’s operation,” park designer Mick Neville said.

Mr Neville, who owns two aqua parks on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast [Coolum and Bli Bli], was hired by Bathurst Aqua Park owner Michael Hickey to help set up the venue.

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“The water temperature’s not bad, it’s not really cold, and at the moment the water’s very clear,” Mr Hickey said.

READ MORE: Bathurst Aqua Park ready to take its first customers

Addressing concerns raised by last Thursday’s announcement that the Bathurst Regional Council had raised the dam’s blue green algae alert to amber, Mr Neville reassures the water is still safe for swimmers.

“It’s safe for recreational use, it’s not safe as drinking water, but you shouldn’t be drinking the water anyway,” Mr Neville said.

“The water is tested twice weekly by the council.”

Mr Neville’s statements are backed up by information on the Bathurst Regional Council website as well the official WaterNSW website.

“If people follow sensible recommendations such as not swimming with an open wound and rinsing off after being in the water, then they have nothing to worry about,” he said.

“A lot of people spend more time on the actual aqua park than in the water anyway,” added Mr Hickey.

With favourable turnouts over the weekend, the aqua park is set to become a premier attraction as the summer months draw near.

READ MORE: Bathurst Aqua Park coming to life at Chifley Dam

“We’ve just had a lady from Parkes book in a school group for 200 people, numbers like that are good for Bathurst,” Mr Hickey said.

“It’s a great activity for all ages,” Mr Neville added.

The park is now open from 11am to 5pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.