A major new sports facility for the Sunshine Coast has been officially opened at the USC Sports Precinct.

The $4.2 million USC Aquatic Exercise Facility features a six-lane, 25m recovery and rehabilitation pool, alongside USC’s existing 50m pool, built with $1.4 million from the State’s Get Playing Plus funding program and $2.8 million from USC.

USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the pool was another jewel in the Sunshine Coast’s sporting crown based at USC.

“This is the latest addition to our high-performance sporting facilities that are attracting top teams, like Sunshine Coast Lighting, to train and study at our sports precinct,” he said.

USC Director of High Performance Sport Professor Brendan Burkett said the centre would be used by elite athletes, for sports science work placements and research, and by the community for a range of purposes including rehabilitation and prehabilitation (exercise to prepare for surgery).

“Along with the 25m lap pool, there will be hot and cold plunge pools, a variable-flow pool with a waterproof treadmill, and video cameras to assess running and swimming techniques,” he said.

“We’ll also have a dry land recovery area that includes a strength and conditioning gym over 450 square metres of floor space.

Mr Whiting said the combination of state-of-the art training and recovery facilities, expert coaching and university-led research would also benefit the wider community.

“The wider community will also reap the benefits, and we expect it to be well used by schools, clubs, visiting sporting teams and the general public,” he said.

“The pools will cater for people requiring disability or specialised access, with entry ramps and a graduated depth warm water pool.”