Jacco Verhaeren, Head Coach of Australia’s National Swimming Team, is urging the Gold Coast City Council to install a permanent roof on its prized venue, the Gold Coast Aquatic Center.
Although the $41 million facility is regarded as world-class, and will be hosting the swimming portion of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the site is roof-less, thus limiting the international competitions that can be held there, mainly those sponsored by the world’s governing body, FINA.
Ever since the 2009 Rome World Championships, FINA has shied away from hosting major World Championship and Olympic meets in outdoor venues. Kazan, Russia, host of the 2015 FINA World Championships, constructed a temporary roof over the Premier League soccer stadium used for the event to avoid having an open-air event.
The 2014 Pan Pacific Championships was the most recent example of the significant issues weather can bring to an open-air facility. The unseasonably cold, wet and windy weather brought over 3 inches of rain during the competition, with 1.8 inches on one day alone. At the time, the decision to not have installed a roof over the outdoor 10-lane competition pool drew intense criticism.
Said Verhaeren to the Council last week, “Given the significant issues we had during the Pan Pacs, I am sure that if they come back again they would ask for a roof. We got away with it last time and our swimmers did well but it is not the way to go on the international stage.”
Last year it was revealed in a Gold Coast Bulletin that the aquatics center was using more water, required more expensive security and had higher staff requirements than originally estimated, leading it to lose close to $40,000 weekly.
“For sure, there is no discussion the pool needs a roof to overcome these issues and ensure we are not embarrassed (during the Commonwealth Games) with delays during such an international event,” continued Verhaeren.
“The worst nightmare of any organisers of a Commonwealth Games and Olympics is there would be no legacy or continued use of the facilities afterwards,” he said. “To win medals, there needs to be a competition and we want the competition to be able to continue, regardless of the circumstances.”
A feasibility study will be initiated to evaluate costs and options for building a roof, however, Commonwealth Games sources say planning documents for the 2018 event included a roof over the stands and not the pool itself.