Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre
MSAC
MSAC's outdoor swimming pool.
Location	Albert Park, Victoria, Australia
Coordinates	37°50′48″S 144°57′58″E / 37.84667°S 144.96611°E / -37.84667; 144.96611
Opened	July 24, 1997 (1997-07-24)
Expanded	2006
Operator	State Sports Centre Trust
Construction cost	$65 million
Architect	Peddle Thorp Architects
Project Manager	Baulderstone Hornibrook
Capacity	1,800 indoor pool, 3,000 outdoor pool, 1,800 Show Court
Website	www.msac.com.au
Tenants
Badminton Victoria, Table Tennis Victoria, Victorian Water Polo, Australian University Sport, Squash Vic, Swimming Victoria, Basketball Victoria, Diving Victoria, Melbourne Vicentre[1]

The Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) is an international sporting venue located in Albert Park, Victoria, Australia. The centre was opened on the 24th of July 1997 at a construction cost of A$65 million. The cost was funded by the State Government of Victoria and the City of Port Phillip. The centre has hosted international events including the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2007 World Aquatics Championships.^[2]

The centre has several swimming pools and international standard diving facilities. There is a large multi-purpose sports hall used for sports such as badminton, basketball, table tennis, and volleyball, and also squash courts and a gym.

The centre is accessible by tram routes 96 and 112.

Construction

Stage 1

The first part of MSAC's construction was completed in 1997. This included the majority of the facilities currently at MSAC including the indoor pools and the sports hall.

Stage 2

In 2002 it was announced that the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre would be expanded in time for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.^[3] A new hydrotherapy pool, a new 50 metre outdoor pool and improved transport links were some of the facilities added in the $51 million expansion.^[4] Work began on the Stage 2 project in September 2003.^[5] The expansion opened in early 2006. Since then, a movable floor was installed in the 50m outdoor pool which allows the water depth to be varied.^[6]

Facilities

Aquatics

• Indoor 50m pool^[7]
• 25m lap pool ^[8]
• Multi-purpose pool ^[9]
• Hydrotherapy pool ^[10]
• Outdoor 50m pool ^[11]
• Wave pool ^[12]
• Diving boards ^[13]
• Water Slide ^[14]

Sport

• 10 indoor basketball courts
• 10 squash courts
• 12 badminton courts
• 18 table tennis tables
• 3 volleyball courts^[15]

Events

MSAC regularly hosts many events including state and national championships. Among the major events MSAC has hosted are:

• 2006 Commonwealth Games - squash, diving, swimming, table tennis
• 2007 FINA World Swimming Championships - diving
• NBL games for Melbourne Tigers^[16]

View of MSAC from Albert Park Lake

Charlene Wittstock, the future Princess of Monaco, won a gold medal for South Africa in the 2002 World Cup held at MSAC. She returned to the MSAC on a royal visit to Melbourne in March 2012. ^[17]

External links

• MSAC official website
• Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (Pool) at Austadiums
• Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (Show Court) at Austadiums

References

This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (January 2007)

Coordinates: 37°50′48″S 144°57′58″E / 37.84667°S 144.96611°E / -37.84667; 144.96611