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By Chris Willcox

Petria Thomas estimates that in her 12 years at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) she has swum 30 000 kilometres in the pool. No wonder they need a new one.

The Aquatic Testing and Training Centre, which is now under construction at the AIS in Canberra, will not just be a refurbished version of the old pool. It will be the first of its kind and will feature a 10-lane 50 metre pool that integrates performance analysis hardware and systems for the training, testing and development of elite swimmers.

The Australian Government is contributing $70 million to the landmark redevelopment of AIS facilities and services, which includes as its centrepiece the world-class Aquatic Testing and Training Centre.

In a recent ceremony at the AIS, Senator Rod Kemp, Minister for the Arts and Sport, was given the honour of turning the first sod to start works on the construction of the $15 million aquatic centre.

‘The AIS is at the forefront of world sport and this redevelopment will ensure it remains a centre of innovation and excellence in the training and development of elite athletes and teams,' Senator Kemp said.

And innovation and excellence are certainly at the heart of the new aquatic centre's design. Among the many innovations included in its design are walls and a roof that can be opened or closed depending on the weather. It features underwater windows that allow easy viewing of swimmers in each lane and a magnetic timing system with probes suspended from the ceiling to allow accurate measurement of specific components of the race.

Speaking at the ceremony, former AIS swimmer and triple gold medallist at the Athens Games, Petria Thomas, said the redevelopment was about being at the cutting edge of technology.

‘The $70 million the Australian Government has invested in the redevelopment will go a long way to pushing Australia further up the ladder,' Thomas said.

The centre is expected to be completed by early 2006 and will be a national base to develop up-and-coming talent in Australian swimming.

The AIS redevelopment will also include a new sports science and medicine hub, new accommodation and a sport development education centre.

Senator Kemp said the Government's commitment to the redevelopment will help ensure the AIS remains a centre of sports excellence.

‘It will provide a platform for the AIS to continue its leadership in high-performance sport,' Senator Kemp said.

At the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Australia was second on the swimming medal tally and is widely recognised as one of the world's top swimming nations.

‘Many countries with far larger numbers look in astonishment at Australia's achievements,' Senator Kemp said.

‘But we will have to fight hard to maintain the standard we set in Athens. This development is part of that.'

Although Petria has retired from international swimming, she has plans to visit the completed aquatic centre. ‘I'm looking forward to diving into the new pool in 2006—if they'll let an old codger like me in,' she said.

Other features

Moveable boom : No need for ropes to be changed. The boom allows short courses and other distances to be easily accommodated.

Digital displays : Readouts at the end of the pool provide instant feedback for swimmers about their technique and performance.

Telemetry communication system : Allows coaches to provide instructions to swimmers verbally while training.

3D modelling system : Allows creation of accurate 3D skeletal frame model of the swimmer actually swimming.

Drag measurement system : Sensors 500mm below the surface measure the swimmer's drag force and indicate technical efficiency.

Instrumented start blocks : Measure the timing and force of swimmers leaving the blocks.

Instrumented walls : Provide data on force, direction, timing for swimmers' turns and backstroke starts.

Camera tracking : Above and below water camera angles provide coordinated video footage of swimmers.

Further information on the AIS and its facilities can be found on the website at www.ausport.gov.au

• Document ID: 31101 |
• Last modified: 6 February 2008, 11:53am