Willoughby Leisure Centre redevelopment hit with delays, $1.5m budget increase

‘Significant challenges’ have been reported at the site of a major Sydney pool redevelopment, resulting in the completion date pushed back by at least six months and budget blowout.

Asbestos and unstable surface conditions have resulted in delays and a budget blowout on the project.

Willoughby Leisure Centre is the latest Sydney pool development to be hit with major delays and a budget blowout after asbestos and unstable surface conditions were detected at the multimillion redevelopment site.

“Significant challenges” have been reported by construction crews at the site of the north shore pool redevelopment, resulting in the completion date of the project to be pushed back by at least six months.

The delays have been attributed to the discovery of “unanticipated underground conditions” including non-friable asbestos.

The budget for the $38.86 million project has now increased by $1.5 million which will be used to fund asbestos management, soil works as well as additional piling work.

Construction issues have also resulted in a redesign of structural elements of the development and changes to the design and construction methods.

The main pool was closed in 2022 for the redevelopment.

The pool was closed to swimmers in December 2022 and was originally due to open in mid 2024, however the reopening date has now been pushed back to an unspecified period in 2025.

The council in a statement said the discovery of the asbestos contamination and subsurface conditions was only encountered after the demolition of the pool hall and pool shell was completed.

Gynt Drinan, Willoughby Council’s Project Management Team Leader, told an internal audit risk and improvement meeting that site testing had been undertaken prior to construction, however machines were “unable to and access underneath the pool floor”.

A concept photo of the redeveloped facility.

A council report detailing the construction issues shows construction issues have included damage to the existing piling – which supports the weight of the pool structure – and was originally proposed to be used to support the construction of the new pool deck.

The damage has forced construction crews to install 263 additional piles to support the “structural bearing capacity” required for the project.

On-site control measures have also been put in place in response to the asbestos contamination including air monitoring and dust suppression.

Additional piling work has been required for the project.

Approximately 4400 tonnes of soil removed from the site will be reclassified from ‘general solid waste’ to ‘special waste asbestos’ which requires a different disposal method regulated by the NSW Environment Protection Authority.

It is understood the contamination could be linked to the historic use of the site and adjoining Bicentennial Reserve which previously operated as council waste facility before being turned into public space.

Willoughby Council says it undertook a range of testing and investigations prior to construction to determine underground conditions including soil assessments.

A concept photo of new pools incorporated into the redevelopment.

“Additionally, prior to construction tender, test pits were dug in the western and northern car parks to determine in-ground conditions, and no significant issues that would impact the construction process were found,” the council said in a statement.

The delays come as North Sydney Council faces similar construction hurdles for the ongoing redevelopment of North Sydney Olympic which is also running months behind schedule and is facing a budget blowout of $100 million.

Willoughby Leisure Centre is the only public pool in the local government area and prior to its closure attracted more than 300,000 visitors per year.

The redeveloped facility will include four new pools.

Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor said the council understands the delays will be disappointing for the community.

“Unfortunately there have been some significant challenges beyond the council’s control that have hampered progress,” she said in a statement.

“We value the community’s patience and understanding and are doing everything in our power to keep things moving forward so we can provide our community with an amazing facility, including having tight measures to scrutinise the management of the project.”

A concept photo of the redevelopment.

The council says negotiations are ongoing with the construction contractor of the project, Belmadar, in regards to the “final cost” and “time impacts” caused by the construction issues and has not been able to say if further budget increases will be required.

“Council is currently working with its builder (Belmadar) on cost and time frames, so it is not possible to be more precise about the total variation or time frame at this time,” a council spokeswoman said.

The development of the pool was prompted by the ageing state of the building which was built in the 1980s and was deemed by the council as “no longer meeting the needs of the community”.

Once complete, the redeveloped facility will include four new pools, a spa and sauna and a new creche and outdoor area.

The project budget was primarily funded through existing council budget reserves as well as developer contributions and a $5 million NSW Government grant.