AquaZone opened as an outdoor facility in 1962.
A redevelopment in 2002 saw the addition of indoor pools, a gymnasium and associated components.
Based on current demand, the age of the centre and existing and likely maintenance issues, Council has identified the need for an updated Aquatic Strategy. A key aim of this Strategy is to provide options for either renewing or redeveloping AquaZone on the existing site, or, closing AquaZone and developing a new Centre at a greenfield site.
You can read the Aquatic Strategy in full here or read the summary below.
In 2022-23, AquaZone recorded about 200,000 visits from a diverse range of users including learn to swim participants, members, school groups, swim clubs, competition/carnival participants and the general community. This level of use equates to 5.6 visits per head of population compared to the benchmark of 5.2 for regional areas, indicating good participation levels. Based on the consultation undertaken, central to the success of AquaZone is the quality of service and staff, the location, the diversity of programs such as group training classes and low barriers to participation.
While this is the case, AquaZone has major weaknesses such as poor accessibility, the absence of a warm water pool and the end-of-life issues associated with the original outdoor pool components. A comprehensive asset condition audit of the aquatic areas indicated that about $3 million would be required over the next 10 years simply to ‘patch work’ these pools while about $10 million was required to construct a new 50m pool, replace the associated plant and refurbish the indoor pools. Despite these issues, AquaZone continues to perform exceptionally well in safety with a 95% compliance and 92% safety score from the recent Life Saving Victoria Safety Audit.
As part of the research process associated with reviewing the options for future provision, an assessment of the current situation, targeted consultation, industry consultation / trends research and a review of Council strategies were undertaken. This research guided the potential development options for assessment, these options are outlined below.
1. AquaZone site make good and enhanced access: replace the 50m outdoor pool and make good existing facilities and enhanced access (e.g., upgrade pool access - ramps, pool pod, etc.).
2. AquaZone site enhancement (potentially in two stages):
• Stage 1: upgrade of outdoor 50m pool with partial cover, additional change rooms, spectator seating and plant room.
• Stage 2: improved access directly off car park, expanded gym and program rooms, warm water pool with sauna / spa / steam, multi-purpose community space, amenities upgrade and utility options (subject to further investigation).
Above: architectural rendering of an upgraded outdoor pool at the existing site.
3. Greenfield site development: indoor 25m pool, 50m pool, learn to swim pool, warm water pool, leisure pool, health club and community / swim club spaces.
Consistent with Council strategies and policies, the vision associated with the future provision of aquatic and leisure facilities is to:
• Be reliable, cost efficient to operate and environmentally sustainable.
• Be fully accessible and compliant.
• Support the physical and mental health of our community and the broader region.
• Strengthen capacity of sporting and swim clubs to increase participation.
• Provide opportunity for success in competitive swimming.
• Meet the future needs or our growing city.
How much would each option cost?
An assessment of indicative costs indicates that:
• A full redevelopment of AquaZone on the existing site would cost in the vicinity of $59.7 million. This comprises $10 million for aquatic “make good”, $22 million for other renewal and new components and $27 million for other project related costs.
• The indicative cost for the greenfield site is identified as $80.5 million consisting of $45.2 million for building works, $33.9 million for other project costs and $1.4 million for AquaZone decommissioning.
This cost however could vary quite substantially based on the site.
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