$4 million Alpha Aquatic Centre upgrade moves forward

With an expected completion date in August this year, the $4 million redevelopment of the Alpha Swimming Pool into the Alpha Aquatic Centre is moving forward.

The redevelopment includes upgraded facilities and the replacement of the current 50 metre swimming pool with a sustainable, heated 25 metre pool with wheelchair access. The new pool will also have two extra lanes, allowing more people to swim at different levels.

Heating the pool will extend the club’s swimming season, and allow increased use by other community groups in the Barcaldine region of Central West Queensland.

With the growth of coal mining in the region, Barcaldine Regional Council is expecting extra usage of the Alpha Aquatic Centre and other local recreation facilities by mineworkers and their families. It is estimated that the population of Alpha will increase from 450 to 2,000 during the anticipated 30-year life of the nearby mines.

Barcaldine Mayor Rob Chandler said the impending operations of five mines within close proximity to Alpha will have "considerable impact on existing recreational infrastructure.

"The construction of the Alpha swimming complex for ... fitness, sport and recreational use will endow residents, visitors and workers with a facility most appropriate to the improvement of the liveability to our region.”

The Federal Government is contributing $1.4 million to the $4 million redevelopment under round four of the Federal Government's Regional Development Australia Fund.

Swimplex Aquatics is installing a full filtration and water treatment package at the Centre

Sinc e the closure of the Alpha Swimming Pool in August 2014, a temporary above ground pool has been erected on the facility’s grounds for learn-to-swim lessons while lap swimmers are being urded to use the Aramac Swimming Pool located 68 kilometres north of Barcaldine.

More information on the Regional Development Australia Fund can be found at www.regional.gov.au

For more information on how Swimplex Aquatics click here to view their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory. 

Image shows the former Alpha Swimming Pool.

17th August 2014 - TENNANT CREEK POOL PLANS MOVE FORWARD