Glenorchy City Council reveals concept designs for $84 million aquatic centre

Glenorchy City Council has unveiled concept designs for a multi-million dollar redevelopment of its Glenorchy War Memorial Pool.

The concept, unveiled at an open workshop on today, includes an outdoor 50m pool, water slide, indoor 25m lap pool and indoor 20m learn-to-swim pool along with a spa, sauna, steam room, toddler pool, fitness club, health club and cafe.

The project is estimated to cost around $84 million and would be funded through a yet-to-be determined source.

Advising that the proposed concept would provide the community with a fit-for-purpose aquatic facility for the coming decades after structural concerns shut the existing pool last yet, Glenorchy City Mayor, Sue Hickey stated “this option would give the community a modern aquatic facility for the next 40 years, retaining an outdoor facility that many users of the existing pool told us was important.

“The consultants we engaged have been working with community stakeholders for the past 10 months to bring council an option that both reflects the community’s preferences and has the strongest business case to attract funding.”

Mayor Hickey said the preferred option is being presented to council as the best option in terms of community benefit, which she said maximises its chances of gaining government funding, noting “we recognise this represents a major investment in our community and in our sport and recreation infrastructure.

“But we also recognise the benefits a swimming pool has for people in assisting them lead active and healthy lives.

“Stakeholder groups, who lobbied council following the closure of the existing pool last year, have been involved in this process from the outset and this option has been developed with their input.

“In addition, an elector poll held earlier this year made it clear the community wanted council to redevelop the facility.”

With the Council to approach both the Tasmanian and Federal Governments to secure funding for the project, Mayor Hickey “in the meantime, council will be getting on with the job of repairing and re-opening the existing pool which we are aiming to have ready for summer next year.”

Images: Concepts for the redevelopmentof the Glenorchy War Memorial Pool. Credit: Liminal Architecture.