The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Minister for Sport launches world-first pool at AIS

Australia is set to consolidate its position as a world leader in swimming with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) beginning construction on a state-of-the-art Aquatic Testing and Training Facility.

In a ceremony at the AIS today, the Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, marked the start of construction of the cutting-edge Aquatic Testing and Training Centre, which is the centrepiece of the $70 million re-development of the AIS campus in Canberra .

Senator Kemp said the AIS redevelopment is part of the Australian Government's commitment to the future success of one of the world's premier centres of sports excellence.

'The AIS's world-class Aquatic Testing and Training Centre will be an integral part of the redevelopment to build on the Institute's reputation as a centre of sport excellence,' Senator Kemp said.

'The Aquatic Centre will be the first of its kind featuring a 10-lane 50 metre pool integrating performance analysis hardware and systems for the training, testing and development of elite swimmers.

'This facility will ensure that the Institute maintains its position as a national benchmark and a leading centre of excellence in swimming.'

Senator Kemp said the facility is at the heart of the decision by Australian Swimming to nominate the AIS as the National Training Centre for its elite swimming programs and camps.

'This redevelopment provides a platform to drive leadership, direction and continuous improvement in high performance sport,' Senator Kemp said. 'The Aquatic Centre will also be a key focus of the biggest names in swimming nationally and internationally in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics.'

GHD Pty Ltd is charged with project management of the four year AIS redevelopment project. The Aquatic Testing and Training Centre, designed by Canberra architectural practice Cox Humphries Moss, is expected to be complete in early 2006.

For more technical specifications of the new pool go to www.ausport.gov.au/media/index.asp

CANBERRA
6 December 2004

Media contact: Adrian Chippindale, Minister's Office, 02 6277 7350 or 0407 208 743
Simon Langford, ASC, 02 6214 1298 or 0418 605 541