Rebuilding underway at Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre

Construction of a new Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre is underway for the City of Boroondara.

The $27 million project to replace Boroondaras oldest aquatic and recreation facility (located in Linda Crescent, Hawthorn next to Glenferrie Oval) began with its closure in January followed by demolition works on the site. In May, the Council signed off on the second phase of works being undertaken by Adco Constructions.

With works scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013, the new facility will offer:

• A new, wider 50-metre heated outdoor pool;
• A 20-metre by 10-metre indoor warm water pool;
• Expanded fitness program rooms and crèche facilities;
• 750 metre2 large gymnasium;
• Five health consultant suites;
• Indoor/outdoor café.

In closing the facility, the City of Boroondara and centre managers the YMCA of Victoria have made vigorous efforts to accommodate its regular users - the Centre attracting around 350,000 visits a year and having 2,400 members.

How the Council and the YMCA planned and managed the closure and have gone about accommodating regular users and members is explained in a feature 'Closing Down' in the July/August 2012 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.