AusLeisure

Residents of Dalby in Queensland's Western Downs Region can now enjoy the town's new, multi-million dollar heated indoor pool.

Officially opened on Friday, the new six lane 25 metre pool has already been well supported by the community with more than 6,000 visitors taking a dip since its soft opening in early August.

Designed by Brisbane-based leisure architects Liquid Blu, the new facility is built alongside Dalby's heritage listed 50 metre pool (the first Olympic standard pool constructed outside of Brisbane) which, since 1936 has brought the community together to enjoy swimming as well as host local, regional and state carnivals.

Innundated by floodwaters in January 2011, the new facility has been raised above the Q100 flood line (a composite of the highest flood levels considered plausible).

As Liquid Blu Business Manager David Yeates explains "the aquatic centre has been designed to be above the Q100 flood line as flooding in Dalby is a continuing occurrence.

"This is quite significant as it is one of the first things that people notice and comment on - the above ground pool is actually above the ground!"

Funded by a grant from the Queensland Government through its Sustainable Resource Communities Initiative, the $4.62 million development included a contribution of $45,000 from the Western Downs Regional Council as well as substantial in-kind staff time to project-manage the whole project.

The project includes:

External works
• New entry servicing both existing pool and new aquatic centre;
• New 37 bay car park (including two PWD [persons with disability] parks);
• Landscaping, turfing and lighting to the pool;
• CCTV to new aquatic centre as well as to the existing pool;
• A new centralised dosing plant that services both existing and new pools. This has allowed for the separation of the storage of chemicals to an isolated area;
• Redirected downpipes from the existing pool grandstand to store water for the new pool.

Internally
• Indoor 25 metre pool - fully PWD compliant and with a teaching ledge;
• Installation of a Neptune Benson Filtration System with Siemens barrier UV system increasing water clarity to the new pool as well as significantly reducing the amount of water needed - water saving. This filtration system is at the forefront of water filtration technology;
• Male, female and PWD amenities;
• Kiosk & first aid room serving both new and existing pool facilities;
• Translucent Danpalon cladding to increase natural light as well as porthole windows framing views to Myall Creek;
• Louvre windows & large openings increasing natural ventilation.

Servicing a catchment area of around 15,000 people, even before it initial operations in August Western Dowsn Community Services, Sport and Recreation Councillor Charlene Hall explained "there is a real buzz of excitement about the indoor pool.

"There are more than 160 toddlers already enrolled in the learn-to-swim program and the pool hasn't even opened yet. The local support for this facility has been phenomenal.

"I have seen how much it means for the elderly to be able to move freely in the water and it is great that they will be able to use this facility anytime throughout the year.

"The standard of the Dalby Aquatic Centre will also allow our town the opportunity to host state level competitions and carnivals. It's great to know our up and coming swimmers are now able to train and compete on a level playing field.

"The new pool looks amazing and the facilities are top class. It's very exciting times as Dalby has never had an aquatic facility like this."

Friday's opening was attended by Queensland Minister for Sport and Recreation Steve Dickson; Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Ray Brown; Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott and State Member for Condamine Ray Hopper.

Speaking during the opening Mayor Brown said the new facility had totally redeveloped the precinct and will ensure it can continue to be a hub for community aquatic and leisure for years to come.

Mayor Brown stated "the facility began as a shared vision of Council and the community, and I congratulate the Queensland Government, Council staff, contractor Kane Constructions and everyone else involved for working together to achieve this goal.

"The vision is now a reality and we have a facility that will benefit future generations.

"It is certainly a welcome addition to the aquatic centre as it will cater for a growing town of more than 15,000 residents and will save locals what was previously an hour's drive to the closest indoor heated facility. It is centrally located within the town and open seven days a week to the community.

"As more people have moved to the area, the centre's facilities have had to be upgraded to cope with the increasing demand particularly with the ageing infrastructure.

"The indoor pool will give residents, community groups and organisations, schools, swimming and sporting clubs an opportunity to access a range of year round aquatic activities, including a learn to swim program, seniors fitness and aqua aerobics, sport fitness training and injury rehabilitation."

Mayor Brown added that the indoor pool will enable people of the Dalby district to become a more active and healthier community.

Credits
Client: Western Downs Regional Council (Stephen Long, Dalby Community Services Manager)
Architects and Principal Consultants: Liquid Blu
Engineering: ADG Consulting Engineers
Builder: KANE Constructions and Ozcrete Pools.

For more information go to www.liquidblu.com.au/aquaticandrecreation/dalby-aquatic-centre-project-0005.html

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