Mount Morgan‘s $6.5 million aquatic centre on track for February 2024 unveiling

The works include a new pool, splash pad and wet play area. See what the draft designs and when it will be ready.

The new $6.5 million-dollar Mount Morgan pool is well underway and expected to be ready for swimmers to make a splash by February 2024.

Actual construction on the site started in July by Townsville company TP Aquatic Constructions, who were awarded a $5.34 million tender for the design and construction work.

The Mount Morgan main pool at the aquatic centre in August 2022.

The project, funded with $2 million from Rockhampton Regional Council and $4.5 million from the State Government, includes a new 25m, eight-lane pool, splash pad and wet play areas and shed, change room, amenities, kiosk and shade structures.

Overall site view of the new Mount Morgan pool. Note: These are renders only and are not an exact replica.

Concept designs for the new Mount Morgan pool. Note: These are renders only and are not an exact replica.

It comes as the previous pool and infrastructure were leaking significantly and at the end of their serviceable life.

A report was presented to council in recent weeks on the status of the project.

The pool construction is underway and the pool walls are to go up next week.

After this, the pool will be tiled and work will commence on fitting out the plant room.

The toilet block slab was poured this week and the walls of the amenities building will go up next week.

Concept design of looking across the new Mount Morgan pool. Note: These are renders only and are not an exact replica.

Taken from looking next to the new Mount Morgan pool grandstand. Note: These are renders only and are not an exact replica.

As the town is still on water restrictions and water is trucked in, the water for the initial pool filling will be trucked directly to the pool.

The cost of this initial fill is covered as part of the overall $6.5 million project budget.

The pool filling will not impact the drinking water supply.

The brand-new filtration system on the new pool will also mean it will be more efficient than the old pool and will not require as many top ups.

Councillor Cherie Rutherford, who heads the parks, sport and public spaces portfolio, said the upgraded aquatic centre would be able to be enjoyed by the community for many years to come.

“The pool will cater for people of all ages and abilities from little ones in the new wet play area, to seniors who will be able to enjoy the pool for exercise once again, and I am hoping to see a Mount Morgan swim club re-established in the future too,” she said.

“It will be wonderful to see the community enjoying the new pool and the many memories that I know will be made there going forward.”