The preparations for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast are ahead of schedule with the new Broadwater Parklands Aquatic Centre, which was not supposed to be started until later this year, is in it’s final stages of completion.
Seeing the $41 million dollar facility become a reality excites 18 year old Jordan Harrison, “Everyone’s dream is to race for their country at a home meet,” Harrison told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“I’ve been here my whole life. It added more incentive to keep swimming and get better to make the team.”
Harrison’s achievements over the last couple of years have been impressive including a fifth place finish in the 800 freestyle as well as a sixth place finish in both the 400 and 1500 freestyle events at the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona.
Harrison is guided in the pool by Miami’s legendary swim coach Dennis Cotterell who groomed two time Olympic champion Grant Hackett and is one of current Olympic champion Sun Yang’s coaches. His newest prodigy is faster than Hackett was at the same age and over the summer put up the third fastest 1500 freestyle time in the history of Australian swimming.
After taking a tour of the new swim facility Harrison was impressed with what he saw, “Being on the Gold Coast means it will be even better. And (the pool) looks pretty good. It’s coming along nicely.”
“The structure and seating is all completed and it looks pretty cool. It’s going to be a good atmosphere.”
“There’s two big grandstands and the pool looks like it’s going to be world class.”
The facilities upgrades include a new 10-lane 50 metre competition pool, new learn-to-swim pool, elevated spectator concourse/viewing terrace, new change room, gym and toilet facilities, community meeting rooms, event facilities, permanent seating for approximately 1000 people, and refurbishment of the existing eight-lane 50 metre pool and dive pool.
The renovations to the pool are part of a $1 billion plan to improve the area’s infrastructure to ensure that they are ready for the games.