The latest addition to USC’s impressive sports precinct – a six-lane, 25m recovery and rehabilitation pool – is starting to take shape.

Concrete was poured today for the shell for the pool, which will be the centrepiece of a new $4.2million aquatic exercise centre located alongside USC’s existing 50m pool.

The centre, which has been jointly funded by USC and the State Government, is being constructed by Evans Built and should be completed by September.

USC’s Director of High Performance Sport Professor Brendan Burkett said the centre would be used by elite athletes, for sports science work placements and research, and by the community for a range of purposes including rehabilitation and prehabilitation (exercise to prepare for surgery).

“Along with the 25m lap pool, there will be hot and cold plunge pools, a variable-flow pool with a waterproof treadmill, and video cameras to assess running and swimming techniques,” he said.

“We’ll also have a dry land recovery area that includes a strength and conditioning gym over 450 square metres of floor space.”

Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said the Queensland Government contributed $1.4million to the project that will provide a unique service to the Sunshine Coast community.

“It will attract elite teams, like Sunshine Coast Lightning, with its combination of state-of-the art training and recovery facilities, expert coaching and university-led research,” he said.

“The wider community will also reap the benefits, and we expect it to be well utilised by schools, clubs, visiting sporting teams and the general public.

“The pools will cater for people requiring disability or specialised access, with entry ramps and a graduated depth warm water pool.”

— Terry Walsh