History

The 2009/10 season will mark the 40th year of operation for Indooroopilly Swimming.

In March 1966, the Indooroopilly State School P&C Association formed Swimming Pool Fund Committee.

Construction costs were estimated to be in the order of $40,000.00 and the school community expected to raise half half of the funds. Accordingly, families were asked to donate $10.00 per year until sufficient money was raised to commence construction. Four years later the target was reached and construction began. Contruction of the pool and the dressing sheds were completed in March 1970. 

The pool clock was installed in memory Mr Les Merritt who energetically raised funds for the pool construction, but did not live to see the fulfillment of his dream.

The Swimming Club had its first meeting in June 1970 and developed a consitution with the goal for ‘The promotion of swimming proficiency in the school.’

The pool opened with a swim meet on the 26th of  September 1970. The first club night was held on the 16th  October 1970. Membership fees were set a 20 cents per child with no family paying more then 50 cents. Pool admission was 10 cents. The club returned a net profit of $1,000.00 in its first season.

Robyn Rission was appointed as the first club coach and conducted Learn to Swim, Stroke Improvement and Squad Training classess. Mr Les Mancktelow was engaged as pool cleaner and held this position up until 1999 when he retired.

During the first decade, significant improvements to the pool complex were made. The canteen was built, the announcer’s shed contructed, timekeepers’ sheds built and the the Bert Howes Stand was covered at a cost of $8,319.00.

In 1977,  Mr Robert Cusack was  appointed coach.   Today, more than 30 years later, the swimming pool complex is named in his honour, and he continues to serve the club as Director of Coaching.

The gym was first constructed in 1986 at a cost of $23,000.00, inclusive of equipment. A video camera and TV were also installed in the gym.

In its third decade the club continued to evolve and meet the needs of its membership. The club entered the electronic age by purchasing a computer and printer to keep membership records, store swimmers' times, calculate points and manage club night. Merit Awards were introduced in 1990 and on trophy night that year a former club swimmer, Keiren Perkins presented the trophies.

In 1993, the club newsletter Newsplash was introduced, written and printed by Leslie Hanson, a job she continued until 2003.

The pool was heated in 1994 and winter swimming classess introduced.

In 1995 the club finally affiliated with Queensland Swimming and Brisbane Swimming, an idea first considered in 1970, some twenty-five years earlier! The club has since won a number of Brisbane Swimming Association division championships. Swimmers can now represent the Club at Brisbane Swimming Association and Swimming Queensland meets, from novice to elite Standard.

During the winter of 2003 the old pool was dug up and replaced by a bigger one. Peter and Meredith Mackay led a team of volunteers to make the project a success. The Club provided over $150,000 towards the project and borrowed the balance. Brisbane City Council and Queensland Government provided grants totalling $55,000.The whole project cost in excess of $300,000, a far cry from the original $40,000.

The redeveloped pool was opened at the beginning of the 2003/4 swimming season.  The pool now features  8 Olympic sized lanes in a year round heated facility. Since the redeveloped pool was opened, new timing sheds have been constructed (2005), the gymnasium has been refurbished and reequipped(2007), semi electronic timing was installed (2008) and a state of the art recovery centre introduced (2009).

The pool can now cater for school students, club members and the wider community, providing a wonderful facility for many years to come.