City of Kingston appoints Principal Architect for new aquatic and leisure centre

The City of Kingston, located in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, has advised they are one step closer to delivering Kingston’s new aquatic and leisure centre following the appointment of a principal consultant architect to the project.

Melbourne-based firm CO.OP Studio have been successful after a competitive two-stage tender process and are now engaged to lead the project consultant design team from the concept design phase (commencing this month) through to detailed design and construction.

The need for the development of a new aquatic and leisure facility in the short-term was a key recommendation in Council’s adopted Aquatic Facility Plan and followed the closure of the Don Tatnell Leisure Centre in 2020 due to major structural issues.

The new centre will be built adjacent to Jack Grut Reserve on Governor Road in Mordialloc.

CO.OP Studio will lead and deliver consultant services for architecture, planning, environmental design, urban and interior design, various engineering disciplines, landscaping, traffic and waste management, among many other aspects.

Kingston Mayor Hadi Saab said locking in the principal consultant architect represented a major milestone for what is the largest ever infrastructure project undertaken by Council.

Mayor Saab notes “this is a vital project for our city and we are delighted to now have CO.OP Studio on board. The highly experienced CO.OP team have a proven record of successfully working with the local community to deliver aquatic and leisure facility projects of this scale, which will enable us to keep the momentum going.

“With our Community Reference Group formed and their work in full swing, keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities for the broader community to have your say as the concept plan is developed. We are completely committed to taking the people of Kingston on this exciting journey.

“The new aquatic and leisure centre represents a major investment in the long-term health, wellbeing and aquatic education of our community and we are committed to providing facilities that are more sustainable, accessible, and environmentally sensitive than ever before.

“From learning to swim, building strength in the gym, and practicing your butterfly, to warm water exercise and rehabilitation, or just having fun - this new centre will cater for all.”