The redevelopment, which was unanimously approved at last night’s (17 July) Ordinary Meeting of Council following extensive community consultation and discussion, will turn the centre into a modern facility that meets community and stakeholder expectations while making it more economically viable.

The proposal includes redeveloping the aquatic facility to a 25m warm water program pool to cater for swimming lessons and hydrotherapy as well as the constructing a children’s interactive play area. The gymnasium and circuit room will be improved and relocated downstairs while an extended group fitness area will be moved to the former gym area on the mezzanine floor.

Mayor Katherine Jackson, who wanted to extend the scope of the project, last night supported the redevelopment with her fellow Elected Members, saying the 20-year-old centre was long overdue for a refurbishment. “Officers have worked on the Leeming Recreation Centre plan over the past two years and it is time to move on with the development before escalating costs make it prohibitive,” she said. “It is estimated that the redevelopment will increase patronage to the centre by 63,000 people per year and reduce the financial deficit. The revitalisation will also invigorate the centre as a hub, which is a very desirable outcome. If a need was demonstrated, there may be an opportunity for Council to consider further development in the future."

Bull Creek-Leeming Ward Councillor Russell Aubrey said the Council’s decision was a time for celebration. “Working within a sustainable budget, we will now be able to provide a facility to meet the recreational needs of the current and next generation of residents,” he said.

The redevelopment plans were first advertised during April, which resulted in the City receiving 212 submissions from the community. Much of the feedback was positive, however, there were concerns about the loss of the existing leisure pool and lap swimming. As a result, Council staff revised the plans, adding a child’s water play and family area, a system to lower the temperature of the program pool overnight to cater for early-morning lap swimmers and the construction of a shallow section in the pool to assist swimming lessons for young children. The revised plans were advertised for a further three weeks.

Health and Lifestyle Services Manager Dennis Gillam said the City had considered a wide variety of redevelopment options with input from Elected Members, staff and the community,” he said. “After extensive research and consultation, we believe the plans that have been approved by Council are the most economically viable and best meet the current and future needs and wishes of the local community,” he said. “Throughout the process, we have been conscious of minimising the financial impact on ratepayers.”

Mr Gillam said the redevelopment would be funded over the next two financial years. “The first phase involves architects James Christou and Partners preparing detailed plans and documentation of the project,” he said. “We then plan to go out to tender for the construction works and will carry out the redevelopment in two stages. The scheduled completion date is July 2009.”

The centre’s aquatic facilities will be closed during the redevelopment but there will be minimal impact to other services. Aquatic users will be catered for at Melville Aquatic Fitness Centre.