Plans revealed for Goulburn Aquatic Centre redevelopment

Designs for the extensive redevelopment of the Goulburn Aquatic Centre have been put on public exhibition by the Goulburn Mulwaree Council.

The $45 million redevelopment, to be built over three stages, includes new indoor pools, water play features, a cafe and a creche, among other improvements.

Stage one includes the upgrade of the indoor facilities to include:

• 10 lane 25 metre indoor pool
• Refurbishing the existing 25 metre pool
• New leisure pool, warm water pool, sauna and spa
• New plant room and change rooms
• New entrance foyer, reception, administration area and staff office
• Café with connectivity to Victoria Park,
• Expanded car park and landscaping.

Stage two is for outdoor aquatic and fitness facilities while stage three is the upgrade to the existing outdoor pool, which will remain open while work on stage one is completed.

With the cost of building work listed at $45 million in the development application, acting Coucil General Manager Matt O’Rourke told the Goulburn Post “an initial estimate was prepared as part of the Aquatic Centre redevelopment study.”

This estimate has since been revised based on more detailed design plans, construction market escalation since the first estimate was prepared and additional scope items around the warm water pool, with O’Rourke adding “there is provision in the Operational Budget for stage one, however this will have to be supplemented with grant funds.”

Having applied for $10 million for the project under the NSW Government’s Sports Infrastructure Fund, the Council will also be submitting an application for funding in Round 3 of the Federal Government Building Better Regions Fund.

A spokesperson for NSW Sports Minister Stuart Ayres office advised they were still working through the applications and they expect to be ready to announce the successful recipients next month.

Advising that the plans represented a facility that would be able to accommodate the region for decades to come, O’Rourke advised “the redesign of a major community facility such as the Aquatic Centre is something you only get one chance at, and we believe this design will create an outstanding space for our region that will cater to all ages and abilities.”

Mayor Bob Kirk was pleased to see the development application submitted and the design phase of the project on track, adding “significant community consultation was undertaken in 2016 and the early months of 2017 to get to the point of detailed design.

“I’m particularly pleased that a sauna, spa and warm water pool have been included within the design for stage one as these are essential facilities for our region that are not currently easily accessible.

“The development will be assessed by the JRPP with a date to be advised. Once assessment is complete we will be able to move forward in completing the final design and project estimate which will allow us to complete construction contract documents.”

Mayor Kirk advised that the Council hoped to advertise a tender for construction towards the end of this year and that behind the scenes they would also continue lobbying for grant funding for the project.

Construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2019.

Images show designs for the new Goulburn Aquatic Centre.

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