AusLeisure

The Queensland Government and Gold Coast City Council have joined forces to ensure that the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre is upgraded in time for the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.

The existing Aquatic Centre will make way for a new world class facility to host the Pan Pacs in 2014 before becoming the venue for the swimming and diving competition for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Speaking at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre at the weekend, Queensland Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said that an agreement had been reached between the Gold Coast City Council and the Queensland Government to accelerate the redevelopment.

Minister Stuckey explained "the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships will provide a great opportunity to showcase the Gold Coast as well as bringing significant economic benefit to the city and the State.

"It has been more than 25 years since the Pan Pacs were held in Queensland and thanks to this bipartisan collaboration we will have the opportunity to highlight our expertise in hosting world class sporting events ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games."

Minister Stuckey and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate have agreed that the Queensland Government and Gold Coast City Council will each contribute half of infrastructure funds for the games with the project cost of approximately $41 million for the Aquatic Centre to be shared in a joint funding partnership .

Mayor Tate said the announcement would bring confidence to Gold Coast residents that the 2018 Commonwealth Games would deliver major economic benefits and significant legacy infrastructure for the city.

Mayor Tate added "this is very exciting - it's the first Games legacy infrastructure project to get underway, bringing with it approximately 350 construction jobs and the opportunity to host other major events ahead of the 2018 Games.

"Moving the project forward for the Pan Pacs will also ensure we have world class training facilities available for our elite swimming and diving squads for their preparations ahead of the 2016 Brazil Olympics and the 2018 Games. It also means the new facilities will be reopened to our community much sooner than originally scheduled.

"It is expected the new facilities will cater to more than double the current annual community usage, from 170,000 visits, to up to 400,000 which will be a fantastic outcome for the city.

"Council will be heavily involved in the project and is now already working with existing pool users and other stakeholders to assist with arrangements."

Minister Stuckey said the schematic design for the new aquatic centre has already been done and the plans looked fantastic, concluding "the design is in keeping with the modern and award winning Broadwater Parklands and in event mode will be a spectacular centrepiece with a breathtaking backdrop.

"The State Government called for registrations of interest late last month from 26 suitably qualified contractors to undertake the redevelopment work.

"A short list of builders will be invited to tender for the project and public consultation will take place in coming months."

The project will include a new 10 lane 50-metre competition pool, new learn-to-swim pool, elevated spectator concourse/viewing terrace, new change room, gym and toilet facilities, community meeting rooms, event facilities, permanent seating for approximately 1,000 people, and refurbishment of the existing eight lane 50-metre pool and dive pool.

Construction is likely to commence in February next year and is expected to take approximately 16 months.

The new Gold Coast Aquatic Centre will open to the community after the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in August 2014.

29th July 2012 - GOLD COAST MAYOR SEEKS TO FASTTRACK AQUATIC CENTRE UPGRADE FOR PAN PACS

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.