Maroondah City Council is constructing a new Ringwood District Aquatic Centre on the site of the current Ringwood Aquatic Centre.
The new centre will incorporate the same level of facilities that are provided at the current facility, and will also include additional elements such as accessible change rooms, a larger warm water pool, dedicated learn to swim pool, a large gymnasium with separate group fitness rooms, dry diving training room and childcare facilities.
Council has the design and construction of the new facility fully-funded with timelines that ensure no downtime on the site between closure, demolition and construction.
Leisurelink Aquatic & Recreation Centre, Geelong
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Minister for Sport & Recreation and Veterans' Affairs Hugh Delahunty visited Ringwood in December 2011 to announce a $3 million contribution from the State Government towards the construction of the new Ringwood District Aquatic Centre.
The $3 million is a result of Council’s grant submission for the Community Facility Funding Program - Better Pools category, which is aimed at providing high quality, accessible community sport and recreation facilities across Victoria.
Minister Delahunty was joined by Bayswater MP Heidi Victoria to make the announcement, in front of an audience of Mayor and Councillors, Council officers, and representatives from Swimming Australia, Swimming Victoria, Ringwood Swimming Club, Diving Victoria, Ringwood Diving Club and members of the Ringwood District Aquatic Centre Community Reference Group.
Design and construction team appointed
Architectural firm Peddle Thorp has been awarded the design tender for the Ringwood District Aquatic Centre.
Peddle Thorp is recognised for innovative and landmark aquatic and recreational buildings, with their most recent project the completion of the new South Australian State Aquatic Centre. This project shares similar elements to the Ringwood District Aquatic Centre, incorporating a warm water program pool, learn to swim pool, toddler and leisure pool with interactive water play, and FINA standard diving facilities.
Following a tender process, Slatterys P/L has been appointed as the Quantity Surveyor, and Davis Langdon Australia Pty Ltd as the provider of project manager services.
Community consultation
The decision to build a new aquatic and leisure centre was made following extensive community consultation.
Consultation on relevant design elements is taking place with key user groups as part of the formal design process. There will be an opportunity for all members of the Maroondah community to provide input and comment on the design of the new facility. These will be advertised widely.
Community Reference Group
A Community Reference Group has been formed to receive information on the progress of the centre.
Design and elements of the new facility
The design for the new centre will evolve from initial layouts presented through key stakeholders and community consultation, and finish with a full 3D model showing the details and features of the facility. Design considerations include environmentally sustainable design options as well as best practice pool engineering and construction techniques.
South Australia Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Oaklands Park, SA
Financial considerations
With the endorsement of Council’s Budget and Long Term Financial Strategy, Council has the project fully funded, and is in a strong financial position to construct without placing a burden on ratepayers, now or into the future.
Closure of the Ringwood Aquatic Centre
The current Ringwood Aquatic Centre will close in June 30 2012, coinciding with the demolition and construction timelines.
Sunshine Leisure Centre, Sunshine, Vic
