Work commences on refurbishment of Shire of Augusta-Margaret River's Aquatic Centre

The pool at the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s Aquatic Centre has closed with work on an $8 million project to replace the pool and associated recreation centre’s ageing roof which has reached the end of its lifespan.

The project will see a simplified ‘skillion’ roof for the entire structure, accessibility features, a new cafe, a timber-look deck and outdoor play space, new toilets, seating, and public art, and refurbishment of existing changerooms to deliver “a contemporary and functional centre that serves community members well into the future”.

Spanning the entire length of the existing building, the new roof creates the opportunity to redesign and update parts of the facility and improve its energy efficiency.

The ‘Rec Centre Refurb’ project, which is expected to take at least a year to complete, aims to deliver a quality, durable and low maintenance building at the minimum cost possible.

The urgent need to replace the centre’s roof structure presented an opportunity to transform the facility into a modern, health and wellness community facility.

The Council advise that “since the pool opened in 1998, the aquatic facilities and other parts of the recreation centre have been exposed to damp and chemically-laden moisture from the pool interior. Coupled with the exterior roof enduring a battering from 23 howling South West winters, the roof has deteriorated rapidly in the last two years meaning replacement now is essential.”

The Shire has also secured funding for the construction of a certified 'Changing Places' accessible change facility as part of the refurbishment to the Margaret River Recreation Centre's pool, cafe and gym areas.

Supported by the Western Australian Department of Communities Office of Disability, the grant represents a significant investment of $170,000 for the accessible facility, under the expanding network of Changing Places program.

The facility, designed by consulting architects Gresley Abas, will be the first of its kind in the Margaret River region, with the closest facilities currently located in Bunbury, Collie, Katanning and Albany.

Once completed, it will provide visitors with high support needs, access to a public change facility and the chance to be included in swim and recreation activities which may not otherwise have been easy or even possible.

The Changing Places facility inside the Margaret River Recreation Centre will include an accessible toilet, shower, wash basin, privacy screen and an adult change table with a roof-mounted hoist.

The project is expected to cost approximately $8 million, with a large proportion of the expense expected to cover structural reconstruction work.

While the pool will be closed during the works, the gym and group fitness will continue to operate on one of the centre’s indoor courts. The netball and basketball seasons as well as roller derby and badminton will be able to continue throughout the redevelopment on the other two courts, with access to all activities from the Gloucester Park car park.

Childcare services will relocate to the Scout Hall at the Youth Precinct.

Click here for more information about the project.

Image shows the concept for the redeveloped facility. Credit: Architects Gresley Abas.