Aqua playground, clubrooms and heating agreed for Mandurah aquatic centre redevelopment

A new indoor aqua playground, a new leisure pool and new clubroom facilities will be included in the upcoming redevelopment of the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC) after receiving approval from the City of Mandurah.

Detailed architectural designs are well underway for the redevelopment project after Donovan Payne Architects were appointed in January, with construction due to start late this year on the aquatic component.

The $20.5 million stage one aquatic redevelopment also includes a 50 metre outdoor pool and refurbishment of the existing 25metre pool.

The City Council also approved for the option of an upgraded spa area to be taken to the next stage of design.

The City of Mandurah has consulted with a number of different user groups, customers, professionals and aquatic facility experts in developing these plans.

Once completed in late 2015, the aquatic redevelopment will increase the water space from 900 metre2 to more than 2,400 metre2, catering for the future needs of Mandurah's fast-growing population.

There will also be new changerooms, better public access, new spectator seating areas, improved parking and a new school entry and bus areas.

Council has also recommended that pool heating is provided in order to maximise community participation in aquatic sport and recreation activities and the associated benefits.

After various heating options were researched and considered in the planning stages, Council agreed that Geothermal heating was the best option for the redevelopment. Geothermal heating has been identified as the most cost effective and sustainable method in the long term.

Direct Geothermal heating involves a bore of around 1000 metres deep being used to extract warm water.

This water is then passed through a heat exchanger, for direct heat exchange to the swimming pool water and air.

The City sought advice from experts such as hydrologists, architects, engineering consultants and geothermal specialists to assist in the planning of this very innovative and exciting approach to heating.

The City will be notified this month if its funding application to the Australian Government's Regional Development Australia Fund for $10 million has been successful. This grant will allow stage two of the redevelopment to proceed, costed at $15.5million.

2nd April 2013 - SPORTS MINISTER BACKS MANDURAH AQUATIC AND RECREATION CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT 

8th March 2012 - WA AQUATIC, RECREATION AND SPORT FACILITIES SHARE $15 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING