watpac awarded gc aquatic centre revamp

BRISBANE-based construction company Watpac has been appointed to the $30 million revamp the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre at Southport.

At the announcement this morning Watpac business development manager Ross Jarden said the company intended to use as many Gold Coast contractors and suppliers as possible during construction.

He said about 300 jobs would be created during the peak of the construction.

Watpac have a history on the Gold Coast, having built Metricon Stadium and Skilled Park.

Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey said the job would start in late February or early March, so the upgrade would be finished in time for the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, which will be held in August.

Ms Stuckey said the government was also in talks to secure four more national and international sporting events to be based at the aquatic centre.

She said she could not name what they were, but said three were scheduled before the 2018 Commonwealth Games and one afterwards.

Mayor Tom Tate said today's announcement was a milestone for the 2018 Commonwealth Games as well.

''This is the beginning of many highlights for the aquatic centre, which will not only host the 2014 Pan Pacs and the 2018 Commonwealth Games, but also many other future national and international events,'' he said.