He said a swimming pool for learners is complete, with the car park and administration building still under construction and the Olympic pool itself being close to completion.
The popular venue has been open since the 1970s and attracts in excess of 350,000 people annually and yet, prior to the $18 million upgrade and redevelopment project, had remained relatively unchanged. Mayor Tate, who was joined on site by swimming great Giaan Rooney, said:
“This redevelopment will create a more contemporary facility which will continue to serve all ages in the community as well as, we hope, breed future champions like Giaan.”
Ms Rooney herself trained at the centre throughout her sporting career and the venue is also renowned for breeding other top champion swimmers including Andrew Baildon, Karla Gilbert and Grant Hackett.
Centres such as this have often been included in brochure printing campaigns advertising top local facilities.
The next generation, according to Ms Rooney, will benefit from a truly state-of-the-art facility once the aquatic centre redevelopment is complete, which is expected to be in early 2021. It will take about five days and 2.371 million litres of water to fill the new 50 metre swimming pool.