Swimmers can take the plunge in a new 25-metre heated swimming pool at The University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus.

The ramp and wheelchair-accessible pool is the centrepiece of UQ Sport Aquatic Centre’s $3.4 million redevelopment project, and is temperature set to 29°C year-round.

It can cater for up to nine lanes and will be open to lap swimming, as well as selected learn-to-swim lessons, swim squad sessions and pool parties.

UQ Sport Aquatic Centre Venue Manager Jae Marr said the new pool was built in response to growing customer demand.

“The UQ swimming community is one of Brisbane’s largest and most vibrant, and we’re delighted to offer our patrons an additional heated pool, which greatly increases capacity at the Aquatic Centre,” Mr Marr said.

“As well as extra swimming lanes, we’ve expanded both our Kids Learn-to-Swim and Academy Swim Squad programs to offer more levels, classes and sessions than ever before.

“The added pool space also allows us to further develop our Adult Learn-to-Swim lessons, which this year saw us introduce a series of free Student Services and Amenities Fee-funded (SSAF) 10-week programs for students with no swimming experience.”

The Aquatic Centre’s grassed areas have also been landscaped, and deck-side bleacher seating installed around both 25-metre and 50-metre pools.

Since the 2011 Brisbane floods, almost $10 million has been invested in upgrades at the Aquatic Centre.

UQ Sport Chief Executive Officer Bryan Pryde said they had made a conscious decision to maximise the amount of surrounding space available.

“Previously, much of the grassed areas were under-used because of steep banks, so all grassed spaces have been levelled to ensure they’re more widely accessible,” Mr Pryde said.

The pool is treated with a low-residual salt chlorinator – a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chlorine.

The UQ Sport Aquatic Centre is open seven days a week.

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Media: Jamie Mitchell, UQ Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752