The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre is making strides towards its highly anticipated completion, with three new and accessible pools set to open to the public early in the second half of 2025.
Once complete, the centre will offer year-round training, remedial and recreational swimming options for people of all ages and abilities.
Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor, Helen Blackburn said the facility would be a key asset for the entire community.
“The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre will be a facility for all, providing accessible and inclusive opportunities for everybody to enjoy,” she said.
“The design ensures that everyone can benefit, from young children learning to swim to those who want to exercise, or it can be a spot used to simply have fun and cool down.
“With inclusive features like ramp access to all three pools and year-round use of the indoor lap pool, we’re providing a space that truly serves all members of our community.”
The facility, situated on Walker Street (opposite the Bundaberg Multiplex), will be home to a 50-metre x 10 lane competition pool, an indoor lap pool, and a warm water hydrotherapy program pool designed all with accessibility in mind.
The competition pool will be a standout feature, built to the same specifications as Olympic pools, including a depth of two metres and a width of 25 metres and with built-in facilities for judging, timing, scoreboard and marshalling.
For recreational swimmers, the centre will provide an indoor 25-metre x eight lane lap pool, heated to 28 degrees and enclosed to allow for year-round use.
A heated program and learn-to-swim pool will also be available, offering warm water for remedial swimming, aqua aerobics, and physiotherapy.
This pool, which will be accessible by ramp, chair lift and pool hoist will feature depths ranging from 90 cm to 1.4 metres.
Council Sport and Recreation portfolio spokesperson, Councillor Carmen McEneany said there were also plenty of benefits for local athletes.
“This facility is a game-changer for competitive swimming in our region,” she said.
“Our athletes will have access to world-class facilities, helping them reach new heights in their training and performance.
“Beyond competition, the centre will also provide a place for locals of all levels to develop their skills, promote health and fitness, and foster a strong community spirit.
“With tiling now complete in all three pools the special markings for sports like water polo and under water hockey are now visible demonstrating the variety of recreational opportunities this facility will cater to.”
The facility also has a child’s play area, cafeteria with adjacent seating areas, training rooms for hire, grassed marque area and two carparking areas for approximately 165 cars and four accessibility parking.
Bundaberg Regional Council says it will soon award the tender for the management of the facility.
