Gold Coast Aquatic Centre

The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre (also known as the Optus Aquatic Centre for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games) is a public swimming pool complex located in the Southport Broadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast, Queensland.[1] It was the swimming and diving facility for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.[2]

Gold Coast Aquatic Centre
27.963665°S 153.415854°E / -27.963665; 153.415854
LocationMarine Parade, Southport, Queensland, 4215
Opened1960s
Owned byCity of Gold Coast
TypePublic swimming pool
Former name(s)Southport Pool
Southport Olympic Pool
StatusOperating
Websitewww.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/thegoldcoast/gold-coast-aquatic-centre-23174.html/
Features
The swimming and diving facility for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games™.
Facilities
Competition Pool
Diving Pool
Training Pool

History
Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in 2020

The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre opened in the 1960s as the Southport Pool.[3] The complex was renamed to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in the late 2000s.[1] In 2018, the Gold Coast hosted the Commonwealth Games.[4] The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre was the swimming and diving facility for the event. Approximately $40 million was spent on redeveloping the complex. The redevelopment included the construction of an additional 10-lane competition pool, additional change rooms and new meeting rooms.[2] Although the expansion was expected to be completed by 2017,[5] the construction was brought forward to allow the venue to host the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in 2014.[6] Work began on the redevelopment in March 2013.[7]

The 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships were held at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and were headlined by all-time record holder for Olympic gold medals Michael Phelps who won three gold medals.[8]

Facilities

Prior to the 2014 major refurbishment of the Centre, the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre had a number of facilities. These including:

  • 50m x 21m wide Competition swimming pool - 8 lanes
  • 33m x 21m wide Diving pool
  • Diving platform located at various heights including 1m, 3m, 5m 7.5m 10m off the ground
  • 25m x 20m wide training pool - 8-lane

During the 2014 refurbishment, additional water facilities were added as follows:

  • New 50m x 25m wide Olympic standard Competition swimming pool - 10 lanes
  • New 15m x 10m wide Indoor Learn To Swim pool
  • New Freeform Splash pool with water play features

The refurbishment building design by Cox Rayner Architects has received the 2015 Queensland State Architecture Award for Public Architecture from the Australian Institute of Architects.[9]

The refurbishment Aquatic design was Completed by Stevenson & Associates Pty Ltd. [10]

Programs

A number of programs and classes are based at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.[11][12] These include:

  • Aqua Aerobics
  • Birthday Parties
  • Deep Water Running
  • Diving
  • Learn To Swim
  • Massage
  • Physiotherapy
  • Synchronised Swimming
  • Underwater Hockey

Additionally, Competitive, Masters, and Triathlon Squads are based at the complex.[13]

See also

References
  1. "Gold Coast Aquatic Centre". Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. Archived from the original on 15 January 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  2. Lacey, Michelle (5 November 2011). "Games bid a 'nail-biter', says Premier". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  3. "Broadwater Parklands presentation booklet" (PDF). Gold Coast Parks. 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  4. Ardern, Lucy (13 November 2011). "Coast wins 2018 Commonwealth Games". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  5. Chambers, Geoff (19 November 2011). "Tweed region to share in Commonwealth Games windfall". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  6. Willoughby, Shannon (10 November 2012). "Coast to host Pan Pacs swimming in 2014". Gold Coast Bulletin. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  7. Ardern, Lucy (6 March 2013). "Call to start Carrara sports precinct plans". Gold Coast Bulletin. Archived from the original on 9 March 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  8. Pentony, Luke (27 August 2014). "Pan Pacs: Michael Phelps adds gold and silver to medal haul". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  9. "2015 Queensland State Architecture Awards". Australian Institute of Architects. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  10. changes by Paul Stevenson of Stevenson & Associates
  11. "Programs and Classes". Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. Archived from the original on 16 January 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  12. "Learn To Swim". Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. Archived from the original on 16 January 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  13. "Squads". Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. Archived from the original on 16 January 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
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