AusLeisure

Construction of Brisbane City Council's new $7.5 million swimming pool complex at Morningside's Colmslie Recreation Reserve is underway and is scheduled for a mid-2010 opening.

In a jointly funded initiative with the Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council has injected a massive $6 million into the project that will include a heated indoor leisure therapy pool with ramp access, heated outdoor 50 metre lap pool and a childrens play pool with interactive water features.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman recently advised that contractors had completed essential early stage works such as foundations, underground services and pool shells, and had successfully tested pools for water retention.

Lord Mayor Newman stated "Colmslie Pool is another way Council is delivering on its commitment to promote a healthy and active community (and) I know the community will enjoy the wonderful facilities and the social, leisure, therapeutic and health benefits they will provide."

Colmslie Aquatic Centre is being built on the edge of the Brisbane River on land previously leased to Queensland Hockey and adjacent to their complex. Originally announced in February 2004, Belgravia Leisure was chosen to build and operate the centre in July 2007 but pulled out in October 2008, citing the impact of the global financial crisis.

Belgravia was to have funded a 2,000 metre2 fitness centre within the development, something that Brisbane City Council is keen for the Centre's operator, when chosen, to add. The Council's tender for expressions of interest to operate the facility closed this week.

Colmslie Aquatic Centre is one of number of new facilities being built as part of Brisbane City Council's Aquatic Facilities Strategy. New facilities opened in Runcorn and Mt Gravatt last year, with the Runcorn Pool being further upgraded with a new children's play pool in December.

Other recent upgrades were actioned at the Hibiscus Pool in Upper Mt Gravatt, which received a $650,000 upgrade for a new children's a new kids play pool, gym extension and playground while the Manly Pool attracted $1.8 million in funding which paid for a new 25 metre lap pool with ramp, children's play pool with interactive water features, pool heating, new disabled and family change rooms and upgraded buildings and grounds.

The development of the Runcorn and Mt Gravatt Pools and the Colmslie Aquatic Centre is featured in the January/February 2010 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

Image courtesy of Zoggs.

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