Ashfield Aquatic Centre redevelopment scheduled for late 2018 completion

Inner West Council's $19.6 million Ashfield Aquatic Centre redevelopment is on track to be completed in time for the 2018/19 summer swimming season, with a new learn-to-swim pool and restored 50 metre and water polo pools to be available.

Inner West Council Administrator Richard Pearson said that Council was delivering a number of strategic community projects and a major program of community infrastructure projects, advising “this project was the most significant of the former Ashfield Council, in both size and scope.

"It will deliver a multitude of benefits to the local community and the merger of the three councils has given us an opportunity to assess the project and its timeline."

The timetable of works has been adjusted to allow for the Centre's outdoor pools to be closed for one swimming season only, having originally been scheduled to be closed for two full swimming seasons.

Closed at the end of the swimming season on 31st March 2017, the outdoor pools will not be in operation during the upcoming season. However, Ashfield’s indoor pool will remain open throughout the entire works period.

The adjustment of works minimises disruption to the public, as well as Centre staff, with Pearson adding “what we now have is a better, less disruptive schedule of works.

"We are also looking at the possibility of expanding the project to adopt more environmentally-friendly features and better facilities – for example we are currently assessing the possibility of making provision for a future gym"

The long-awaited redevelopment of the Ashfield Aquatic Centre includes replacing the existing 50 metre pool and water polo pool, constructing a new learn-to-swim 25 metre pool (including an indoor walkway to keep residents protected from the elements), upgrading the shower facilities, and constructing new family change rooms.

In addition, there will be an upgrade of the kiosk and the welcome desk, and construction of new community meeting rooms.

The Ashfield Aquatic Centre has over 350,000 customers per year. It is also hosts a highly successful swim school, which has an average of 15,000 visits per month. All learn-to-swim, school intensive lessons and aqua aerobics programs will go ahead as per usual during works.

The redevelopment was made possible by funding of $14 million from the Special Rate Variation.

Council's other pools at the Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre in Lilyfield, Enmore and Petersham are operating as normal during the Ashfield Aquatic Centre redevelopment.

Images: The plan for the Ashfield Aquatic Centre redevelopment (top) and the Centre's outdoor pool prior to redevelopment (bottom).

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