Plans on display for new Willoughby Leisure Centre

The Willoughby Leisure Centre, used by more than 500,000 people annually, currently caters for water activities, indoor sport and exercise activities offering a gym, two multipurpose indoor courts, 25 metre indoor heated pool, spa and sauna.

The plan, developed following an extensive program of community consultation undertaken throughout 2009 and 2010, aims to bring the centre in line with community expectations and provide state-of-the-art health and leisure facilities now and into the future.

The Master Plan provides options for the facilities at the centre to be expanded and improved through a staged redevelopment of the site to see it include additional facilities including: 

• An eight lane, 50 metre pool;
• A warm water program pool; 
• Childrens' water play area; 
• New gym/health club more than three times the size of the current facility; 
• Purpose built group exercise studios and Spin Room
• Additional change room facilities and facilities catering for schools and large groups;
• Larger crèche; 
• Increased parking; and 
• Major refurbishments and improvements throughout the centre.

Additional netball courts will also be provided at the new Gore Hill sports facility reducing the demand on the outdoor courts at Bicentennial Reserve.

Explaining the plans, Willoughby Mayor Pat Reilly states "the redevelopment of the Willoughby Leisure Centre is an exciting opportunity for the Willoughby community.

"The redevelopment is a central step in a focus on recreation across the city. In addition to the Willoughby Leisure Centre redevelopment, we will be working to increase recreational venues across the city through the provision of new centres such as the facility at Gore Hill and upgrades to existing parks and facilities across the city.

"The proposed redevelopment at the Willoughby Leisure Centre aims to meet the current and future sporting and recreational needs of the Willoughby community by providing the next generation of recreational facilities. It also aims to address current user concerns in areas such as traffic management, ongoing access to the centre and incorporate Ecological Sustainable Design principals.

"The public exhibition provides an opportunity for the community to view and comment on the proposal before the Master Plan is finalised. All community feedback received will be considered as part of the decision making process. While a thorough program of community consultation has already been undertaken to enable to Master Plan to be developed, I urge all members of the community, to review the plans and provide feedback."

The plans are on display for public comment from 1st June until 12th July 2012 at:

• Willoughby Leisure Centre, Small Street, Willoughby
• Chatswood Library on The Concourse, 409 Victoria, Avenue, Chatswood
• Council's Administration Building, level 4, 31 Victor Street, Chatswood
• The Willis Recreation and Sports Centre, 325A Eastern Valley Way, Castle Cove

For more information go to www.willoughbyleisure.com.au

15th May 2012 - CENTAMAN CUSTOMERS TOP OF THE CLASS AT ARI