By Margaret Maccoll
Families from St Andrew’s College Peregian Springs can stop asking “when is the pool coming?” after the first sod was turned on its $12million Aquatic Centre last Friday.
College Principal Reverend Chris Ivey said the new centre, which is expected to be completed in August 2019, will cut the 40 minute travel time to swim lessons at Noosa Aquatic Centre and be a facility for the whole community.
“Younger ones will learn to swim instead in our purpose-built smaller pool, while older students will train and compete in swimming competitions and water polo in the 52mx 25m main pool,” he said.
“Our own pool will strengthen the opportunities and quality of the swim program and other aquatic experiences we can offer, with a quick transition between the school day and training.
“We will also host local, regional and interstate competitions at our state-of-the-art facility which will be a source of excitement and pride for the whole community.”
The college community has raised $1m to enable construction to commence and aims to source the remainder of costs from college loans, government grants, proceeds from the annual fair, fundraising events and community donations.
St Andrew’s graduate and Rio Olympian Jake Packard encouraged families to become involved in the project.
“Swimming has been my life from an early age but it was St Andrew’s, along with a supportive scholarship program, that helped me reach my dreams of making the Olympic team,” he said.
“Having an Aquatic Centre at the College would have further enhanced this; as a student I could have attended training at the campus before school.”
To contribute to the project phone Sue Sagar on 5471 5555 or visit www.saac.qld.edu.au/content/giving-aquatic-centre
