Armadale Aquatic Centre Redevelopment

The Armadale Aquatic Centre has now completed the next stage of its redevelopment. The City has produced concept plans, a business case, funding applications and undertaken consultation regarding the future upgrades of the Aquatic Centre required for a growing community. The current funding allocation is in line with projected population growth.

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The Future of Armadale Aquatic Centre

Background

Armadale Aquatic Centre was constructed 19 December 1980 as an outdoor seasonal aquatic centre. The centre and its magnificent grassed surrounds and picnic area is one of the City's main recreation facilities. The centre celebrated its 30^th birthday in 2010 and remains an impressive summer aquatic centre.

The need to upgrade Armadale Aquatic Centre and provide an indoor year round leisure facility has been the subject of much discussion at Council. Since 2004 the City has undertaken a comprehensive needs assessment, feasibility studies and concept plans. The need for a multi-purpose facility has been identified including various health and fitness services and indoor aquatic facilities.

Due to the high cost of the proposed new indoor facility, and the limited external funding available for the project, Council was unable to afford the new facility in the short term and the decision was made to defer the project until the City's population has grown to provide a sustainable return on centre operations. The population in the City of Armadale is forecast to grow to 100,000 by 2022. As part of planning for the future the City a major redevelopment currently scheduled to commence in 2019, with an allocation of $25 million.

In reaching that decision Council acknowledged that the ageing condition of the existing facilities and infrastructure would require a major refurbishment to continue operating. Taking into consideration the full redevelopment of the future Aquatic Centre site a $4.7million two stage upgrade commenced in the winter 2010 and is scheduled for completion winter 2011. Current works, stage 1a and 1b, have been scheduled with consideration of the future multi-purpose leisure facility.

Consultation

Our consultation process started in 2004 with the Armadale Aquatic Centre Needs Assessment study and marked the first stage of on-going consultation with the community, stakeholders and government. As a result of this Stage 1 consultation, City Officers and consultants have developed technical aspects of the proposed works. This is identified in the current proposed 2019 concept plan above.

As a long term major infrastructure development for the City, consultation on the future of the Aquatic Centre site is an ongoing process. Most recently we held briefings with user groups of the Aquatic Centre, outlining the scope of future works, and funding opportunities and limitations. We will continue to discuss our proposed concept plans with interested parties.

It is in the City's and the wider community's interests to work together to make sure this development can occur in Armadale. As the population grows, the case for the project will strengthen. We look forward to continuing to work with the wider community on this exciting project.

Proposed Concepts

The scope of works for the ultimate indoor facility, based on the 2005 Feasibility Study, includes an indoor 25 metre pool, water features, foyer, meeting and function rooms, fitness facilities and crèche service. This provides a range of services to the community and long term financial viability for the Centre.

The City has worked with consultants in planning an ultimate indoor aquatic facility, taking into consideration previous concept designs and new trends within the aquatic industry. The design will achieve the outcome of a staged plan with all works scheduled tentatively for 2019/2020.

Funding Situation

Funding of future redevelopment of Armadale Aquatic Centre is through loan funds and successful grant applications.

The current project of $4.7 million has been funded through:

• Community Sports and Recreation Facilities Funds (CSRFF)
  $1 million
• Loan funds, City of Armadale
  $3.7 million
• Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs - if successful, notification in June.
  $100,000 - toward the Zero Depth splash pad, increasing accessibility.

Previous Unsuccessful Funding Applications

• 2008, CSRFF
  $1.8million
• 2010, Federal Stimulus Program
  $1.6million

Stages

To ensure optimal return for the City's financial commitment, a staged approach to the refurbishment and redevelopment of the Aquatic Centre is planned. The first two stages took place in the 2010 and 2011 off season, to bring the facility up to the highest quality current operating standards, while working towards the final redevelopment tentatively scheduled for construction in 2019/20.

Stage 1a - (Complete)

Works in winter 2010 consisted of:

• Removal of the bull pit and landscaping
• Removal of the river stream and landscaping
• Safety balustrade around the 'cave'
• Upgrade of grandstand and painting
• Removal of old play equipment
• Installation of new playground and multi-sport court
• Upgrade change rooms to a user friendly capacity
• Landscaping works
• Check underground pipe works and hydraulics for the 2011 works

Stage 1b - (Complete)

Works in winter 2011 are now complete and consist of:

• New plant room including plant and equipment in order to meet Department of Health standards for water circulation. Plant room and pipework has been designed with the compatibility of future
• Each pool with separate heating systems.
• Removal of children's splash pools
• Installation of zero depth splash pad water playground
• Upgrade of concourse
• Landscaping works

Stage 2 - 2019 / 2020 (currently proposed)

Major works are currently in the 15 year plan commencing in 2019. Works will include a redevelopment of the remainder of the facilities including:

• New building including health and fitness services, crèche, café, meeting and activity room space, offices and storage.
• Indoor 25 metre pool with leisure pool