Flashback reveals colourful past as Hyperdome turns 30

One of the state’s biggest shopping centres is gearing up to celebrate a major milestone, but its colourful past stretches back way beyond its time as a retail mecca, as this eye-opening flashback reveals. SEE THE PICTURES

There were three spa baths at the bottom of the slope at Wild Waters Water Slide, which came before the Hyperdome. PHOTO: LOST LOGAN

Next week marks the 30th anniversary of the Hyperdome, which has seen many changes over those years but so far has weathered the digital shopping storm.

But before the centre opened, the site had a varied history as a water slide park and a zoo.

Wild Waters Water Slide was the perfect school holiday fun for $5. Built in 1982 on the site now occupied by centre, the park featured a large tap gushing water into five slides down the hill into a pool, next to heated spa baths.

The Albert & Logan News reports the opening of the Hyperdome.

The Hyperdome when it opened. Check out the M1 traffic. Must have been years ago.

Before the slide, the site was vacant but many would remember a red teepee.

The water slide was next to Ashton’s Circus, which sold its land on Bryants Rd and the Pacific Highway to Myer in 1977. Myer held off opening a shopping centre after the Loganholme Shopping Village opened on Bryants Rd in 1987. Ongoing negotiations for the Hyperdome site involved the sale of Wild Waters in 1984.

Looking over the Hyperdome site towards the bay after it opened in 1989.

When the Hyperdome opened in 1989, a play area and slide opened inside the centre. PHOTO: LOST LOGAN

■ WHAT’S ON TO CELEBRATE

AUGUST 1: Hyperdome unveils its month-long 30 for 30 campaign which will unearth and reward 30 locals nominated for their community work.

Each will take home a $300 prize and be featured in an in-centre exhibition for the next month, showcasing their stories and contribution to Logan.

A people’s choice vote will decide an overall winner, who will receive $5000.

EXHIBITION: 30 for 30 exhibition space, including balloon twisting, cupcake giveaways and a DJ between 10am and 1pm, and 5pm and 8pm