With the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre now welcoming the community, manager Caitlin Hird is proud to oversee a facility built to serve swimmers of all ages and abilities
Caitlin leads a dedicated team of staff and said the new centre delivered opportunities across competition, recreation, aquatic exercise, learn-to-swim programs and reformer Pilates.
She said the facility had also been designed to support people of all abilities.
“It’s really wonderful to know that anyone with mobility challenges can feel supported to move more, with ramp and hoist access available to all pools,” Caitlin said.
“We’ve also had people express interest in our warmer program pool, which offers a more comfortable temperature for water-therapy exercises.”
Caitlin said the centre was a gamechanger for hosting events and competitions in the region.
“The 50-metre Olympic pool is an incredible addition to Bundaberg because it’s purpose-built for both competition and community use,” she said.
“Not only is it ideal for swimming races, with touch pads at the end of each lane to record times, but it will also support sports such as underwater hockey and water polo.
“It’s even welcoming for spectators, with more than 300 seats around the pool and grandstand, along with a large digital scoreboard.”
The opening of the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre supports healthy and connected lifestyles for years to come which Caitlin said was incredibly important in a region like Bundaberg.
“There will be experienced swimmers training and competing, as well as beginner GOswim students learning a skill for life,” she said.
“In between, we’ll have people trying new sports, using swimming for rehabilitation, or simply coming along to enjoy watching a competition.”
Caitlin brings a wealth of health and wellbeing knowledge to her new role, having most recently supported the Bundaberg community through her work at PCYC.
“There is a strong health and fitness culture in Bundaberg across all age groups and I’m excited to offer another opportunity for the community to get involved,” she said.
“I understand the importance of an active community and hope to help drive this through the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre.
“I’m really looking forward to connecting with members and the wider community over time and seeing people set and achieve their own personal goals.”
Find out more about the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre here.
