Gold Coast aquatic centres set to reopen

Gold Coasters will be able to dive into pools at aquatic centres across the city next week. Here’s a guide to the rules and regulations.

GOLD Coasters will be able to dive back into pools at aquatic centres across the city from next week.

The centres are the latest facilities to reopen to the public, with people able to access public swimming pools from Monday.

Like many facilities that have recently reopened on the Gold Coast, the city council have implemented changes to help people stay safe from COVID-19.

Australian Olympic hopeful Jessica Unicomb, 23, training at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in Southport. Aquatic Centres will reopen to the public from next Monday. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Change rooms and showers will be unavailable, patrons will need to register details on site and people counters will be employed to ensure numbers are managed appropriately.

Learn to swim and aqua classes will also not be running at Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and Palm Beach Aquatic Centre.

The Swimming Australia team have been able to use the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in Southport for training the past two weeks and coach Michael Bohl said he was looking forward to seeing the public back

Jessica Unicomb, 23, training at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in Southport. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I’ve been down to Tallebudgera Creek a few times for some swimming and it has been packed, so obviously people want to get back in the water,” he said. “The creeks, beaches and rivers have had lots of swimmers, so I think Gold Coasters are chomping at the bit to get back into pools.

“You’d rather do your two or three-kilometre swims in a pool I reckon, so I’m sure lots of people are looking forward to getting back.”

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Mr Bohl had no worries with his top athletes’ health, now they’ll be sharing the pools with the public.

“There are lots of regulations in place when we enter the aquatic centre and I’m sure that’ll be the same for them,” he said.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said it was great to see the facilities reopening to everyone, not just the elite athletes.

“This is another step towards our city’s recovery, and I encourage everyone to get along to our pools,” he said.