Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre named Australia's best tourism and leisure development

Glen Eira City Council has received two major national awards at the 2014 Property Council of Australia (PCA)/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Awards.

Its Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre (GESAC) was presented with the Ryan Lawyers Award for Best Tourism and Leisure Development while the Council was recognised with the ISPT Award for Government Leadership.

The $46.6 million GECAC is the largest council-operated aquatic, recreation and sport facility in the country. Opened in May 2012, GESAC replaced an old seasonal outdoor pool with what PCA describe as “a ‘one-stop-shop’ for wet and dry sports, health and recreational activities for all abilities and age groups.”

A PCA spokesperson added “The Glen Eira City Council has been recognised for its innovative approach, commitment to consultation and long-term vision, which has resulted in a contemporary, high-quality leisure centre that will meet the needs of the community both now and well into the future.

“The judges were particularly impressed with Council’s sustainability initiatives. The Centre uses water harvesting technologies, pool backwash recovery and bore water to significantly reduce the demand for drinking water, while sophisticated systems optimise energy efficiency. The people of Glen Eira can be proud of their futureproofed community asset.”

GESAC, which features a 50-metre outdoor pool, four indoor pools, sauna, steam room, spa, indoor multisport stadium, water slides, leisure water features, gymnasium, crèche, café and consulting suites, is attracting more than a million visitors each year.

Rider Levett Bucknall Director Michael Kerr says GESAC is well-deserving of national recognition for its innovative design and its contribution to a better quality of life for the local community.

Kerr explained “we have partnered with the Property Council of Australia to present this awards program since its inception in 1982, and are delighted to see the best developments recognised again in 2014.”

The 2014 Innovation & Excellence Award winners were announced at a gala dinner, held at The Star Event Centre in Sydney on Saturday (17th May). The Awards celebrate innovation and leading practice within Australia’s property development and investment industries.

Among 15 other awards covering all industries the RMIT Swanston Academic Building received the Woods Bagot Award for Best Public Building and Brookfield Place Perth received the S4B Studio Award for Best Heritage Development.

For a full list of winners please visit www.propertyoz.com.au/awards

25th March 2014 - BUILDER SETTLES OVER GLEN EIRA SPORTS AND AQUATIC CENTRE DELAYS 

20th September 2013 - GESAC DEVELOPMENT A FINALIST IN THE VICTORIAN PREMIER’S SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS 2013 

29th January 2013 - GESAC SIGNS UP ITS 10,000TH MEMBER

16th May 2012 - GLEN EIRA SPORTS AND AQUATIC CENTRE OPENS