The doors to the Gungahlin Leisure Centre are expected to be flung open next month with a tentative public opening penciled in for late May.
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It has been a long wait for Canberra’s most northern residents who have had to travel to Belconnen and the City to get their aquatic fix.
But after years of planning and construction they will be able to enjoy the state-of-the-art $28.7 million facility.
The Gungahlin Leisure Centre will boast an eight-lane 50-metre swimming pool, a 25-metre swimming pool, childcare facilities, a fitness centre, a café and more.
YMCA of Sydney general manager Richard Price, who will take on management of the facility, said they were looking forward to working with the community and running programs to benefit Gungahlin residents.
This will include the introduction of programs that make swimming lessons accessible to those with a disability, migrants who have not learnt to swim and for those whose parents can’t afford lessons.
“It is an exciting time,’’ Mr Price said. “We’d like to see it become a community hub that ultimately, not only contributes to the social fabric of Gungahlin, but also the health as well. We’d like to think we can make a difference.’’
Gungahlin Community Council president Ewan Brown said the community was busting for it to open and was looking forward to working with the YMCA.
“We’ve been waiting for this for a long time so we are rather pleased to see it coming to fruition and finally getting opened,’’ Mr Brown said.
“In Gungahlin there are lot of young children and migrant families that don’t have swimming skills. So we see a real need for having a boost to water safety issues.’’
The pools have been filled and the final touches to the facility are being made. Mr Price has been overlooking the work ahead of the opening.
He said the café required some fitting out, some signage needed to go up and gym equipment had to be brought in but all the big ticket items were finished.
He said recent rainfall in Canberra had made landscaping a challenge but that would not delay the opening.
Once open the centre will offer a range of aquatic, health and recreation programs and services including group fitness, personal training, teen gym, swimming lessons, school programs, aqua aerobics and more.
