Olympic Gold medallist joins Gold Coast City Council Aquatic Management team

Latest News

Olympic Gold medallist joins Gold Coast City Council Aquatic Management team

January 7, 2015

Micheal Wenden, who won the Olympic gold medal in the 100 metre freestyle at the 1968 Mexico Olympics, has joined the Gold Coast City Council as Operations Supervisor for its Aquatic Centres.

Wenden, who reportedly took up the role last month, is well known on the Gold Coast having run the Palm Beach Aquatic Centre for three decades until he lost the tender to contractor Belgravia Leisure in mid-2012.

Subsequently, he has been critic of contract management, telling the Gold Coast Bulletin last year “there is growing trend of councils taking control of pools and running them as a public service.

“I am in favour of that because there is no direct profit motive.”

The Michael Wenden Aquatic Leisure Centre in Western Sydney is named in his honour.

Image: Michael Wenden at his induction into the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Hall of Legends.

23rd October 2014 - ATHLETES INDUCTED INTO SOPAC PATH OF CHAMPIONS

15th August 2014 - WORK TO START ON KEY GOLD COAST COMMONWEALTH GAMES FACILITIES

8th July 2014 - GOLD COAST AQUATIC CENTRE GETS OFFICIAL OPENING

30th June 2014 - COUNCIL TO MANAGE GOLD COAST AQUATIC CENTRE

21st June 2013 - WATPAC FINALISES $37 MILLION CONTRACT TO DELIVER GOLD COAST AQUATIC CENTRE

22nd January 2013 - GOLD COAST 2018 DETAILS COMMONWEALTH GAMES VENUE PLANS

14th November 2012 - GOLD COAST AQUATIC CENTRE GETS GREEN LIGHT FOR PAN PACS

26th July 2012 - GOLD COAST CITY COUNCIL FINALLY AWARDS PALM BEACH OLYMPIC POOL LEASE TO BELGRAVIA LEISURE

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.