City of Boroondara reveals its incredible HALC

The new Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre (HALC) has been reopened after a $27 million makeover.

The project, which began with the demolition of the ageing former centre in early 2012, has seen the construction of an upgraded facility that now offers a new outdoor 50 metre pool, 20 metre indoor pool, a enlarged 780 metre2 fitness club with three multipurpose fitness rooms, consulting health suites, a 42-place creche with outdoor play area, a lounge and cafe area, and new office spaces.

Situated in the heart of Hawthorn sporting precinct alongside Glenferrie Oval and Grace Park Lawn Tennis Club, the new HALC opened to the public on 30th April.

The new 50 metre outdoor pool accommodates a broad range of aquatic activities including lap swimming, swimming lessons, aqua aerobics, water running and group sporting activities. Alternatively, the indoor warm water pool offers a place for gentle exercise with hydrotherapy sessions on offer.

Construction of the new facility (described in the feature Facing Closure in the July/August 2012 issue of Australasian Leisure Management) came about as the facility’s former 50 metre swimming pool was in poor condition, leaked and could not be reused as a pool as the old building was constructed over a deep trunk sewer, a situation which is not acceptable under current building regulations.

Architect’s plans for the new HALC saw the reuse of the deep end of the old pool to provide a basement to the new building and it now houses storage tanks and treatment equipment for second grade water (roof and grey water) as part of the HALC’s extensive environmental sustainability features.

The opening of the facility, originally planned for December 2013, was delayed after unexpected levels of contaminated soil were found in early 2013, and then further delayed following the need to move a power substation.

City Boroondara Mayor Coral Ross has praised the new facilities, particularly the increased level of accessibility with a new entry ramp, aquatic wheelchairs and a room with entry hoists.

Mayor Ross explained “what we have now is a first-class facility with a range of much wanted features for our community.

“This new facility is one of the largest aquatic and leisure centres ever seen in our city.”

HALC, which is managed by YMCA Victoria, will be hosting a family fun day on Saturday 31st May at which potential users will be able to see what the facility offers, with free entry and a range of free children’s activities, free group fitness classes, free swimming lessons and yoga classes on the deck overlooking Glenferrie Oval.

Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre

Architect: DWP Suters
Builder: ADCO Constructions Pty Ltd
Civil and structural engineer: Meinhardt
Pool engineering: David Powick and Associates
Building services: Umow Lai
Quantity surveyor: Plancost Australia Pty Ltd

Click here to visit the HALC website and here to visit its Facebook page.

31st October 2013 - BOROONDARA SPORTS FACILITIES TO BENEFIT FROM $3.1 MILLION FUNDING BOOST

16th August 2012 - REBUILDING UNDERWAY AT HAWTHORN AQUATIC AND LEISURE CENTRE 

15th June 2011 - TAKING THE PLUNGE ON LONG TERM CONTRACT MANAGEMENT