The City applied for the funding from the Department of Sport and Recreation’s Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund to help with the costs of turning the centre into a modern facility that meets community and stakeholder expectations while making it more economically viable.

In a letter to notify the City of its successful funding application, Sport and Recreation Minister John Kobelke stated the City of Melville was to be commended for its commitment to the provision of quality community leisure facilities. “The State Government is pleased to contribute to the development of much-needed facilities in your community,” he wrote.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the City was very grateful for the assistance from the State Government for the redevelopment. “The funding of $820,842 will go a long way to helping us provide a facility to meet the recreational needs of the current and next generation of residents,” he 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 recreation centre redevelopment known as “The Leeming Re-Creation” was unanimously approved by Council in July 2007 following extensive community consultation and discussion.

The proposal includes redeveloping the aquatic facility to a 25m warm water program pool to cater for swimming lessons and hydrotherapy as well as 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. There will also be a general refurbishment of facilities, including a substantial upgrade to the change rooms.

Late last year, the City contracted a sustainability consultant from GHD Pty Ltd to make sure the redeveloped centre is energy and water efficient and socially and economically viable. The consultant has developed a sustainability framework to guide the design, construction and operation of the centre, covering energy and water use, materials used and accessibility and inclusion. The framework will now be used by architects Bollig Design Group to develop detailed designs for the redevelopment.

Health and Lifestyle Services Manager Todd Cahoon said the project was still on schedule for construction to begin in September and for the redevelopment to be completed by July 2009. “We will keep centre users and the community well informed of how we plan to proceed with the construction, including required centre closures, and on how the redevelopment is progressing,” he said.