Exciting new experiences for swimmers of all abilities will soon be on offer, with the first sod turned on the $1.8 million upgrade of the Beerwah Aquatic Centre.
Mayor Mark Jamieson, Councillor for Division 1 Rick Baberowski and Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace, were on-site to mark the start of work which will deliver a new 17 metre, heated and covered pool, with accessibility features including a wheelchair ramp, handrails and seating.
The new pool will complement the existing 25 metre heated pool, 12.5 metre heated pool and toddler's pool.
A new main entry from the carpark will also be constructed, along with a facelift for the Roberts Road façade and refurbished amenities.
The upgrade has been made possible with capital funding from the Sunshine Coast Council ($1.04 million) in a funding partnership with on-site operators Swim Fit ($260,000) and with grant funding ($500,000) from the Australian Government through Sport Australia.
Mayor Jamieson said council has a well-established suite of quality aquatic facilities and infrastructure across the region.
"Our aquatic centres are an essential part of our healthy, smart, creative lifestyle here on the Sunshine Coast," he said.
"With our idyllic environment and climate, our residents have a deep affinity with swimming and water-based activities.
"Aquatic centres are vibrant community hubs, providing tremendous opportunities for physical activity and social interaction.
"People of all ages and abilities will be able to enjoy these new and improved facilities here at Beerwah when works are completed later in the year."
Mr Wallace said that the Federal Government's investment, delivered from the Community Sport Infrastructure Grants program, would help put the Beerwah Aquatic Centre at the heart of health and fitness in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
"Whatever your stage in life, staying active is vital for our physical fitness, but it is also critical for our mental health as well," Mr Wallace said.
"Swimming is one of the best ways to stay fit in body and mind and I am delighted that more people in the hinterland are going to have the chance to regularly exercise in modern facilities.
"Wherever you live in the hinterland, and whatever your abilities, these upgrades are going to ensure there will be an activity for you at the Beerwah Aquatic Centre."
For Beerwah Active Physio principal and physiotherapist Christine Bond, the new pool will help ensure the best possible treatment outcomes for patients requiring rehabilitation through warm water therapy.
"The program pool will provide access to a warm water based treatment and exercise programs supervised by a physiotherapist," Ms Bond said.
"It's a weightless, warm environment for people with numerous conditions to exercise safely and freely with less impact on the body and joints.
"These facilities are especially beneficial for the elderly and people with a disability and we are really excited about the benefits this upgrade will provide.
"Having a bigger pool means many more people will be able to utilise the facility and the accessibility features will prove especially useful for our stroke patients who need that additional assistance to enjoy the pool.
"From a travel perspective it's also great that our patients with accessibility requirements will be able to have their needs met locally and won't need to drive to another part of the region."
Cr Baberowski said the upgrades would make a big difference to the opportunity to swim, socialise and stay fit to people not just in Beerwah but throughout the Glasshouse Country Townships.
"Locals know this upgrade is about much more than making the presentation of the building look a hell of a lot better, it's about ensuring the right standard of facilities are provided to those who need them most," he said.
"Not only will there be a much-improved experience for people requiring warm water therapy but fitness class participants and children learning to swim will have significantly more space.
"Which means so will the lap swimmers who won't have to compete as much for lane space in the main pool.
"Learning to swim is a must for all Queensland children and the Beerwah Aquatic Centre plays an important role in helping our young people achieve this objective."
Image: Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace, Mayor Mark Jamieson and Councillor for Division 1 Rick Baberowski turn the first sod on the $1.8 million upgrade of the Beerwah Aquatic Centre.
