New QAS Recovery Centre helping our athletes prepare for Beijing: Spence
Published Thursday, 19 June, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Queensland Olympic athletes now have access to the latest in sports training and rehabilitation facilities, following the official opening of the new Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Recovery Centre today.
Sport Minister Judy Spence said the $10 Million state-of-the-art centre provides the facilities needed to help mend injured athletes and for quick recovery after intense training sessions.
“This is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the training and rehabilitation of athletes and it is the only facility of its kind in Australia,” Ms Spence said.
“While other states and territories have some combined facilities, the QAS is unique in having such a large range of facilities all under one roof, for the exclusive use of our athletes.
“With more than 100 Queensland athletes already either officially selected or aiming for selection to the 2008 Olympic Team, this centre will prove to be an essential facility for our sporting champions over the next two months.
“Swimming, cycling, track and field, hockey, rowing, water polo and triathlon athletes will all be taking advantage of this rehabilitation hub, as they prepare for the pinnacle of international sports competition in Beijing.”
Ms Spence said the centre includes a four lane 25m cross training pool, a wet therapy area incorporating ice baths, hot spa with massage jets, sauna and cold plunge pool, as well as a dry therapy area consisting of medical suites featuring consultation rooms for massage and physiotherapy.
It also features change rooms, stretching area, large reception area and meeting rooms.
“Our athletes will now be able to go straight from an intense training session on site, into a recovery session – increasing the rate of recovery and reducing the incidence of injury, muscle soreness and fatigue,” Ms Spence said.
“Sport science staff will also use the facilities to develop new ways to improve athlete technique and performance – continuing to build on Queensland’s reputation as a state of sporting excellence, and a leader in research and development.
“The swimming pool has underwater viewing windows which allow coaches to watch from below as their athletes train, so they can identify where adjustments in technique can be made to improve results.
“Permanent cameras will soon be mounted along the viewing windows which will enable comparative studies between training sessions. This important benefit is not available at public pools – another feature that will set the QAS aside.
“Cameras will also be mounted along the base of the pool (looking up) and at the front of the pool (looking directly at athletes as they swim laps) and there is potential for them to be placed on the roof so that the Sport Scientists can make use of new 3D technology which focuses on Motion Analysis.
“All QAS athletes will be able to make use of these new facilities and it is anticipated that during peak times the centre will accommodate between 250 and 300 individual visits per week.”
Ms Spence said the centre is also setting new benchmarks in environmental design, with environmentally sustainable design principles incorporated to maximise energy efficiency, and reduce water consumption.
“For example, the semi-translucent shell over the entire facility provides natural daylight, prevents condensation and increases the energy efficiency of the facility,” Ms Spence said.
“The high level of insulation minimises heat transfer and the need for mechanical air-conditioning. Combined with an energy efficient plant and mixed-mode air-conditioning, this will allow staff to choose between individual air conditioning units or utilising ceiling fans and windows as an alternative.
“To maximise water efficiency, pool backwash water is recycled for reuse in toilet cisterns, rainwater is collected and stored in several tanks for pool top ups, toilet flushing and irrigation, and the storm water catchment is also recycled and filtered to top up the pool.
“It is anticipated that the water and energy use for this centre will be 55% below the surveyed results across Australian council public pools in 2007, due to the installation of these innovative environmentally friendly systems.”
Ms Spence said the Queensland Government is a strong supporter of our elite athletes, providing $10 Million to the QAS every year to ensure our facilities and support services are world-class.
“This support is what continues to keep the Queensland Academy of Sport at the cutting edge and its athletes at the forefront of national and international sport,” Ms Spence said.
“We have also provided half-a-million dollars over the last two years for our athletes preparing for the Olympic selection trials.
“And we have made the most significant State Government contribution to the Australian Olympic Committee's fundraising efforts – we provided $250,000 for the Sydney Games, $300,000 for Athens, and have now increased this figure to $350,000 for Beijing.
“By providing our athletes with strong support and world class facilities, we ensure they have every chance of achieving their sporting dreams, and we continue to cement Queensland’s reputation as a hub of sporting excellence,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: 3239 6172
Sport Minister Judy Spence said the $10 Million state-of-the-art centre provides the facilities needed to help mend injured athletes and for quick recovery after intense training sessions.
“This is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the training and rehabilitation of athletes and it is the only facility of its kind in Australia,” Ms Spence said.
“While other states and territories have some combined facilities, the QAS is unique in having such a large range of facilities all under one roof, for the exclusive use of our athletes.
“With more than 100 Queensland athletes already either officially selected or aiming for selection to the 2008 Olympic Team, this centre will prove to be an essential facility for our sporting champions over the next two months.
“Swimming, cycling, track and field, hockey, rowing, water polo and triathlon athletes will all be taking advantage of this rehabilitation hub, as they prepare for the pinnacle of international sports competition in Beijing.”
Ms Spence said the centre includes a four lane 25m cross training pool, a wet therapy area incorporating ice baths, hot spa with massage jets, sauna and cold plunge pool, as well as a dry therapy area consisting of medical suites featuring consultation rooms for massage and physiotherapy.
It also features change rooms, stretching area, large reception area and meeting rooms.
“Our athletes will now be able to go straight from an intense training session on site, into a recovery session – increasing the rate of recovery and reducing the incidence of injury, muscle soreness and fatigue,” Ms Spence said.
“Sport science staff will also use the facilities to develop new ways to improve athlete technique and performance – continuing to build on Queensland’s reputation as a state of sporting excellence, and a leader in research and development.
“The swimming pool has underwater viewing windows which allow coaches to watch from below as their athletes train, so they can identify where adjustments in technique can be made to improve results.
“Permanent cameras will soon be mounted along the viewing windows which will enable comparative studies between training sessions. This important benefit is not available at public pools – another feature that will set the QAS aside.
“Cameras will also be mounted along the base of the pool (looking up) and at the front of the pool (looking directly at athletes as they swim laps) and there is potential for them to be placed on the roof so that the Sport Scientists can make use of new 3D technology which focuses on Motion Analysis.
“All QAS athletes will be able to make use of these new facilities and it is anticipated that during peak times the centre will accommodate between 250 and 300 individual visits per week.”
Ms Spence said the centre is also setting new benchmarks in environmental design, with environmentally sustainable design principles incorporated to maximise energy efficiency, and reduce water consumption.
“For example, the semi-translucent shell over the entire facility provides natural daylight, prevents condensation and increases the energy efficiency of the facility,” Ms Spence said.
“The high level of insulation minimises heat transfer and the need for mechanical air-conditioning. Combined with an energy efficient plant and mixed-mode air-conditioning, this will allow staff to choose between individual air conditioning units or utilising ceiling fans and windows as an alternative.
“To maximise water efficiency, pool backwash water is recycled for reuse in toilet cisterns, rainwater is collected and stored in several tanks for pool top ups, toilet flushing and irrigation, and the storm water catchment is also recycled and filtered to top up the pool.
“It is anticipated that the water and energy use for this centre will be 55% below the surveyed results across Australian council public pools in 2007, due to the installation of these innovative environmentally friendly systems.”
Ms Spence said the Queensland Government is a strong supporter of our elite athletes, providing $10 Million to the QAS every year to ensure our facilities and support services are world-class.
“This support is what continues to keep the Queensland Academy of Sport at the cutting edge and its athletes at the forefront of national and international sport,” Ms Spence said.
“We have also provided half-a-million dollars over the last two years for our athletes preparing for the Olympic selection trials.
“And we have made the most significant State Government contribution to the Australian Olympic Committee's fundraising efforts – we provided $250,000 for the Sydney Games, $300,000 for Athens, and have now increased this figure to $350,000 for Beijing.
“By providing our athletes with strong support and world class facilities, we ensure they have every chance of achieving their sporting dreams, and we continue to cement Queensland’s reputation as a hub of sporting excellence,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: 3239 6172