Aquatic Centre officially opens

05/04/17 Official opening of the new Griffith University Gold Coast Acquatic Centre.
Former Olympic and Commonwealth Champion Libby Trickett OAM and Griffith University Vice Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor enjoy some time out at the opening of the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.

Queensland Treasurer, the Honourable Curtis Pitt MP officiallyGriffith University’s Gold Coast Aquatic Centre today (April 5).

Former Olympic and Commonwealth champion Libby Trickett OAM and Commonwealth Games gold-medal winning athlete Emma McKeon OAM were two of the special guests at the event, which marked one year from the start of competition at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Ian O’Connor said the $16 million centre was the perfect venue for competition, training and recreation.

“This magnificent facility complements our ever-expanding Gold Coast campus and is a welcome addition to the first-class sporting amenities already available on campus,” he said.

Students from Griffith’s partner schools took part in a four-by-50 metre relay at the opening.

The solar-heated Olympic-sized pool, with FINA-approved starting blocks and electronic timing, features a bulkhead in the middle, enablingit to be split in two for multi-purpose activity at either end without disruption.

With the 2018 Commonwealth Games rapidly approaching, the pool is set to attract national teams keen to use the facility to prepare and train for the big event.

“Griffith played a major role in Queensland’s last Commonwealth Games in 1982 with our foundation campus at Nathan hosting the Games Village as well as other important services,” Professor O’Connor said.

“Now 35 years on, we have a special relationship with the 2018 event and look forward to contributing to what we expect to be one of the most remarkable games in history.”

Griffith University is an official Games partner and the first university in history to partner with the Commonwealth Games.

The ceremony featured a four-by-50 metre Griffith UniversityPartner Schools Freestyle Relay with Libby Trickett OAM presenting medals to the competitors.