Council to decide on options for Waves Aquatic Centre redevelopment
A Sydney Council will decide whether a $63 million watermark will replace an ageing pool in Sydney’s northwest.
Hills Shire
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- Why Waves Aquatic Centre at Baulkham Hills will close for two years
- Consultation starts on redevelopment of Waves Aquatic Centre
Plans ranging from a like-for-like redevelopment — to a groundbreaking $63 million water park — are the options for the future of Waves Aquatic Centre in Baulkham Hills.
The Hills Shire Council will meet on Tuesday night to decide how to proceed with the redevelopment for the popular aquatic centre, which could include a hydro rehabilitation pool, state-of-the-art gymnasium, several new indoor and outdoor pools and a series of water slides.
A council report revealed four different options for the future of the 50-year-old facility, including a $12.6 million basic upgrade to the pool, a $39.6 million like-for-like redevelopment of the centre featuring an indoor leisure pool, a $55.5 million expansion with additional splash pad and warm water rehabilitation pool, gym and group fitness centre and an ambitious $63.3 million expansion adding another 23m learn to swim and leisure pool and a series of water slides.
Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said the aquatic centre played an important part in the community for five decades.
“But now it’s reached a point where the pool is no longer serving the needs of current and future residents and Council has made the decision to investigate how this much-loved community asset can be revitalised,” she said.
“Council has taken the time to explore opportunities that are feasible for the site — consulting with the users of the facility, including gym members, swims clubs, schools, casual swimmers and the Waves operator, Belgravia, to understand the needs and desires for the renewed vision of Waves.
“Thanks to our sound financial management, we are able to afford the concepts which will be discussed during Tuesday’s Ordinary Meeting of Council.
“Once a concept is chosen, the next steps are for Council to finalise designs, before going out to tender for construction to commence in the first half of 2020.”
A catchment analysis for the pool revealed the total number of future users will exceed 365,000 people within a 15 minute radius of the centre.
“I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide feedback,” Cr Byrne said.
“Your valuable input has been used to create these options that look at providing a unique service for residents at every stage of their life and we look forward to continuing to engage with you on a very exciting project for The Hills.”
More than 1000 people attend the aquatic centre each day between the months of November and February.
A Hills Shire Council report said the catchment area for Waves Aquatic Centre is capable of delivering the numbers to support a $63 million redevelopment.
“However with this option there are concerns that the intensity would impact on community negatively given that the neighbouring community is of a predominate low density, single lot housing character and scale,” the report said.
“Best practice would suggest that the facility would need to be designed to maximise operating hours, maximise activity, minimise circulation space for efficiency and sustain a universal mix of uses that have compatibility.”
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