Design work to begin for Kangaroo Flat aquatic facility

Peddle Thorp Architects are to lead a team of designers, engineers and advisors planning the new Kangaroo Flat indoor aquatic centre.

The City of Greater Bendigo council made the appointment having backed a community campaign for a 50-metre swimming pool in its plans for an aquatic centre in the southern Bendigo suburb of Kangaroo Flat.

City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Alec Sandner told the Bendigo Advertiser that design work and the next stage of community consultation would begin next month on the a $1.4 million tender for the first stage of the new facility.

Mayor Sandner explained that the Council had appointed a consortium of designers and engineers led by Peddle Thorp Architects to undertake the design and planning component of this major project.

Mayor Sandner stated "Peddle Thorp Architects are highly experienced and have designed the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, the South Australia State Aquatic Centre as well as aquatic and recreation centres in Collingwood, Ringwood, Launceston, Waurn Ponds, Croydon, Hastings and Sunshine.

In March, Bendigo Councillors decided to proceed with the indoor aquatic centre featuring a 50-metre pool, with Kangaroo Flat residents having fought a long campaign for the plans to feature an Olympic-size pool.

The aquatic centre is set to include a creche, cafe, multipurpose room, wellness centre, spa, lap pool, water slide, splash park, toddler and learn-to-swim pools, and stadium seating.

Bendigo Council expects the pool could take four to six years to complete and would close the Kangaroo Flat, Long Gully and Golden Square pools once the new aquatic centre opens.

1st March 2012 - RURAL COMMUNITY WINS CAMPAIGN FOR 50 METRE POOL