Official opening: The Lakes College Aquatic Precinct

The first swimmers have tried out stage one of The Lakes College’s Aquatic Precinct during the facility’s officially opening on Saturday morning (August 27).

The first stage includes an outdoor, eight-lane, 25m, heated pool with ramp access, a kiosk and amenities with changerooms, showers and toilets.

It was officially opened by college Principal Nicole Gregory and Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth, with other special guests including Senator Jane Hume, The Lakes College Board Chairman Gary Adsett, former Principal Simon Armstrong, former Business Manager Judy Young, Moreton Bay Regional Councillor and Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway (Div 4) and Paralympic gold medallist and Mango Hill resident Brenden Hall.

“Today, we get to cut the ribbon and break the surface water of the pool. It’s an exciting day and one that many of you, I know, have been waiting for a long time,” Mrs Gregory told the crowd.

“This is possible because the Federal Government of 2020 said we’d like to donate $2 million to the pool here at The Lakes College, so deep gratitude for that very generous gift that’s helped us commence our aquatic precinct.

|“Today’s opening is a significant chapter in the life of the college and our community. North Lakes is, as you know, one of the fastest growing areas and this development is a great opportunity for us to grow our partnership with the community around us.|

“I’m excited to announce that stage two will commence at the beginning of 2023, which will allow us to have our learn-to-swim facility, it will allow us to have access direct to the carpark and a fantastic, covered grandstand.”

Supporting growing community

Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth said he had seen extraordinary growth since he first visited the college in 2013 and congratulated everyone associated with the school for what they had achieved.

“The $2 million the Federal Government put into The Lakes College swimming pool was much needed due to a lack of sporting facilities in the North Lakes and Mango Hill region and the closure of the golf course only made that worse,” he said.

“This pool will be a good investment into the North Lakes and Mango Hill region with a public swimming club available for the community as well.

“The funding was originally offered to the Queensland Government to go into Mango Hill State Secondary College, but the Palaszczuk Government no longer builds pools in schools, so the money was redirected to The Lakes College who were happy to contribute and build a new swimming complex at their school.

“In 10 years from now, we’ve got the Olympic Games in Brisbane and I’m sure this pool will get a lot of good use.”

Bringing dreams to life

Paralympian Brenden Hall congratulated the college for building a facility which would benefit the community now and into the future.

“I would like to extend my thankyou to the Federal Government for giving them the money to do this in this area. It’s fantastic to see a very high-quality pool that a lot of kids are going to have access to,” Brendan said.

|“Hopefully, dreams are going to start right here. I’d like to wish (Head Coach) Mackenzie Speechley all the best in starting up this program.|

“I’ve seen a lot of head coaches come in and start from the ground up and I’m excited to see what you do with this program and hopefully we can see The Lakes College Swim Club out at Chandler, at states at the end of the year and next year and bring together a strong team.”

The pool was blessed by College Chaplain Reverend Monique Coughlin who encouraged the audience to embrace the moment and celebrate being part of a new beginning, fresh start.

She asked for God’s blessing to be with the staff, the community and everyone who will use the facility and to keep them safe.

Eight students who won a competition to be part of the ‘first-in-the-pool race’, battled it out on floats of all shapes and sizes, with a swimmer on an Aussie thong the winner. Other students keen to try the pool out, were then invited to take the plunge.

See the photo gallery below

Photos: Stephen Archer