Published on Tuesday, 25 February 2025 at 10:23:15 AM

For the Henville family, Beatty Park is their home away from home!

Parents Clare and Chad have been working out with us for many years, while all three daughters Ava, Heidi and Lucy train with the City of Perth Swimming Club.

We spoke to the Henville’s about what keeps them swimming and exercising with us.

Tell us about your history with Beatty Park

Clare (Mum): I remember coming to Beatty Park as a child, back when the high diving blocks were still in place and it was a challenge amongst our friends to see who was brave enough to dive from the top tower and see who could touch the bottom of the dive pool.

I did Vacswim at Beatty Park as a kid and my own children have done their school swimming lessons at Beatty Park too.

Our girls have been squad swimming with the City of Perth Swimming Club at Beatty Park for around three years and between the three kids we are at the pool nearly every day.

How important is exercise to your family?

Clare: Exercise is a big part of our family life, from competitive swimming to triathlon we try to be active most days of the week often before and after school. 

With five memberships and the amount of time we spend at Beatty Park we joke that it is our second home.

So the kids swim here; what are Mum & Dad’s routines like?

Chad (Dad): I’ve been a gym member for over a decade and religiously hit the gym twice a week. After a weights session I’ll either do a run on the treadmill or laps in the outdoor pool. 

I really appreciate the continuity of staff over this 10+ years and while I do prefer to work out solo, I’ve definitely tapped into the knowledge of gym staff when injuries have forced me to adjust my routine.  When that happens I’ll have a chat to Dale and get some ideas on how to tweak my workout or use the equipment slightly differently to avoid flaring up an injury.

Clare: I think we have used just about every area at Beatty Park from the indoor and outdoor pools, the gym, creche, group fitness classes, the cafe, the physio. 

I’ve been more intermittent with my gym membership; when my youngest was pre-school age she would go into the creche while I used the gym or did a class. 

After a bit of a break, I rejoined mid last year and have been enjoying the group fitness classes several times a week.  My favourites are BODYPUMP and Spin. I particularly like Ricci’s Spin class as they are so fun and the time flies by. 

Now that my eldest daughter has turned 16, I have even taken her along to a Sunday morning Spin class and we sing and sweat along together. I love the classes as I need the motivation of a group and I find it easier to let someone else do the thinking and I just try my best to follow along and keep up.

What’s so good about swimming at Beatty Park?

Lucy: I love swimming because I get to see my friends and exercise at the same time. I love training at Beatty Park; it is close to home and the water temperature is always consistent and not too cold.

Ava: I love the community and familiar feeling I get when I come to Beatty Park, seeing my swimming mates brightens my day.

Heidi: The best thing about training at Beatty Park is that I can come early and meet my friends for a bit of play or to do a few slides before we settle into our session.  At the end of a long hot school day it feels so good to jump into the cool water.

Clare: Post squad swim sessions my girls love the hot showers in the original bathroom block at the far end of the lap pool. As nice as the cool water of the pool is in summer there is nothing better than a hot shower after a two-hour training session in the dark in the middle of winter.

What’s your favourite memory from Beatty Park?

Clare: When my girls were little we would often play in the kiddie pool and the frog slide was a firm favourite.  When the indoor play area was renovated my girls were thrilled to see the frog slide was retained, even though they had had grown a little bit too big for the slide.

Lucy: I had my 9th birthday party at Beatty Park and it was so much fun. 

Chad: Mine was the excitement of going into the gym just after all the equipment had been fully replaced and getting to use all the new gear including updated bikes and treadmills.

Any final thoughts?

Clare: Given Beatty Park is our second home it is really lovely that lots of the reception staff seem to recognise us when we come into the centre now and always greet my girls with a smile. 

Chad plans to maintain his twice a week gym routine at Beatty Park until he dies and the kids have shown an interest in working as a swim instructor or lifeguard, so I suspect our family will continue its connection with Beatty Park for many years to come.

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