Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre project secures $9 million grant from Australian Government

The Australian Government has awarded $9 million in funding towards the proposed $45 million Tamworth Aquatic, Education and Health Centre of Excellence through its Growing Region's Program.

Tamworth Council’s plan for the aquatic centre calls for a $45 million spend. With $15 million already granted via the NSW Government’s Centre of Excellence Fund and the Federal Government’s $9 million, this leaves a shortfall of $21 million that Council will have to find to complete the project.

In August 2024, Councillors voted in support of making a co-contribution towards the project which is budgeted to cost $45 million.

Tamworth Regional Council’s endorsed the funding strategy in August 2024 – voting in support of making a co-contribution towards the project.

When complete, the proposed Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre and Northern Inland Centre of Sport and Health will be a fully accessible aquatics facility for current and future generations.

The facility will be located within the Tamworth Sports and Entertainment Precinct, next to the existing hockey fields, and will have two key components:

Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre
The Centre will be a fully accessible aquatics facility, combined with contemporary elements for swimming excellence, social engagement, fitness, health and active recreation, for current and future generations. It will have the potential to host elite events at regional and state levels, as well as athlete development and training pathway programs.

Northern Inland Centre of Sport and Health
This facility will provide a sports hub with business accommodation, integrated learning, sport and health research along with medical and allied health services. This facility will provide elite performance sport infrastructure, incorporating a versatile multipurpose indoor sports training facility. It will provide the opportunity for the community, athletes, sporting teams and school groups to partake in educational programs and high-performance training, in a modern indoor setting - promoting innovation in sports science, sports medicine and technology.

The facility will contribute to economic sustainability, growth and liveability for the Tamworth region, through employment generation, tourism and increased visitation associated with major sporting events and an extraordinary recreational facility.

Driving the development of the Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre and the Northern Inland Centre of Sport and Health are the following objectives:

• Create a high-profile facility that attracts Regional, State and National aquatic events

• Provide a facility that caters for community activities, functions and social engagement

• Overcome existing constraints of accessibility to existing swimming facilities

• Provide a range of allied health opportunities and elite athlete recovery and injury rehabilitation

This project is planned to be delivered in three stages.

Stage 1 components include:

• Indoor 50m, 10 lane pool

• Program pool

• Spa and sauna

• Gym - strength and cardio

• Health and fitness rooms

• Foyer, reception and cafe

• Wet and dry lounge

• Accessible amenities

• Administration, offices, first aid

• Plant and stores

• Parking

• Sports science testing lab

• Allied health consulting rooms x 12

• Program rehabilitation gym

• Administration / sports house

• Education and university teaching and meeting rooms

• Reception and accessible amenities

Stage 2 components include:

• Learn to swim and program pool

• Leisure pool with water play

• Functional gym including strength and conditioning

• Indoor to outdoor sprint track

Stage 3 components include:

• Outdoor water slides

• Outdoor 50m, 10 lane pool

Image. Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre interior artist impression