Karlie Brady

Journalist

The popular 25-metre lap pool in Port Douglas run by The Oaks Resort, formerly QT, was officially closed for public use last Friday after settlement for the sale of the land was finalised.

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New owners, Port Douglas based Daniel Gray and Jim Noli took control of the parcel of land between The Oaks Resort and the Reef Resort on Friday and said they have a number of ideas for the development of the land.

“There's nothing in concrete yet,” he said.

“We're still not 100 per cent sure on the type of development we are going to be doing there but it'll be some sort of subdivision. We are also looking at a possible over 50s lifestyle living community type scenario.”

The property hit the market for the first time in 20 years in January this year.

The site currently includes the 25-metre lap pool, two tennis courts, a gym and 1.7 hectares of land.

“It's a good piece of land in town, we have a couple of ideas that we think we can make work,” Mr Gray said.

“The Oaks Resort was running the gym and pool and all the memberships were through them and that's all finished now, we're not gym and pool operators.

“We've closed off the pool to the public now, we offered it to private operators and some people came and spoke to us about taking it on until we develop it, but no one took it. We also offered it to the Council, but they weren't really interested,” he said.

A number of locals and businesses used the pool and were concerned about the sale of the land and subsequent closure of the pool.

Irene Cats, who owns and operates Swimfit in Port Douglas and was running her business through the lap pool has now had to move her operations.

“It’s sad and my business was built around the pool, but I totally understand the situation,” she said.

“I’d like to thank Oaks and QT previously for running these facilities for the community and for being able to use it for a business.”