New $4.2 million aquatic facility opens at USC Sports Precinct

A major new aquatic facility for the Sunshine Coast has officially opened at the USC Sports Precinct.

The $4.2 million USC (University of the Sunshine Coast) Aquatic Exercise Facility features a six-lane, 25 metre recovery and rehabilitation pool, alongside USC’s existing 50 metre pool, built with $1.4 million from the Queensland Government’s Get Playing Plus funding program and $2.8 million from USC.

USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill advised “this is the latest addition to our high-performance sporting facilities that are attracting top teams, like Sunshine Coast Lighting, to train and study at our sports precinct.”

USC Director of High Performance Sport Professor Brendan Burkett said the Centre would be used by elite athletes, for sports science work placements and research, and by the community for a range of purposes including rehabilitation and prehabilitation (exercise to prepare for surgery).

Professor Burkett added “along with the 25 metre lap pool, there will be hot and cold plunge pools, a variable-flow pool with a waterproof treadmill, and video cameras to assess running and swimming techniques.

“We’ll also have a dry land recovery area that includes a strength and conditioning gym over 450 metre² of floor space.”

The combination of state-of-the art training and recovery facilities, expert coaching and university-led research is considered to be of benefit to the wider community being used by schools, clubs, visiting sporting teams and the general public.

The pools will cater for people requiring disability or specialised access, with entry ramps and a graduated depth warm water pool.