Lancashire attraction celebrates 30 years this month

World record attempts, super-sized swimming lessons and charity fun by the bucket load.

That’s how one of Lancashire’s best known attractions plans to make a splash as it celebrates its 30th birthday.

The Sandcastle in Blackpool turns the big three-o later this month.

And bosses are planning to party in style with one event pencilled in for every day in June.

And charities will be at the heart of the action as the waterpark looks to give back to the community which has helped it go from strength to strength.

Sandcastle Waterpark opened on June 23 1986 on the former site of the South Shore Open Air Baths.

With its wave pool, waterslides and tropical climate it was – and remains – a state of the art attraction for locals and tourists alike.

Now, the South Promenade attraction is ready to celebrate 30 years in style.

“There’s so much going on,” a spokesman said.

“We’ve already had so many messages from people and charities we’ve worked with over the years – birthday cards and cakes.

“We’ve had lots of complimentary visits already for groups we support.

“We’ve taken part in the big thank you for Blackpool Volunteers and we’re supporting a lot more this month,.

“We’re backing Blackpool Carers Cash Quest, and we’re delighted to be sponsors of the Pride Festival this weekend.

“We’re also going to have lots of great causes and charities coming into the water park, including Diabetes UK, Blood Donors and Men’s Health during the month.”

As well as giving back to the community, the Sandcastle is preparing to look back over the last 30 years with an exhibition of pictures and artefacts which traces happenings over those years.

They will be on show at the Visitors Centre in Stanley Park from today until July 10.

The exhibition highlights the remarkable changes over the last 30 years and includes a range of promotional literature from the 1980s and props.

That will include one of the original Flamingos that were such a familiar feature flying over the pool area.

Managing Director John Child said “We are delighted to be celebrating our 30th birthday in 2016 and we wanted to mark the occasion with an opportunity for people to see the transformation of the attraction over the last 30 years.

“We have certainly seen many changes over the years.

“Hopefully visitors to the exhibition will take a trip down Memory Lane with us and enjoy everything there is to see.”

And there’s more to come over the next few weeks.

A Sandcastle spokesman said: “We’re once again taking part in the world’s largest swimming lesson which is always fantastic.

“Then we’ve a private hire event for the Aiming Higher charity, which helps families with disabled children to enjoy everyday activities.

“Then on Sunday June 26 we’re hoping to break a Guinness World Record for the most people down a waterslide in an hour.

“We need to get 397 people down and it’ll be really exciting.”