Bondi sports centre designed for ‘older generation’

THERE are plans for a sports centre in Bondi — specifically for older people.

The building will be covered with moving blades

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THERE are plans for a sports centre in Bondi — specifically for older people.

A development application has been submitted this week to Waverley Council for the four-storey centre on Curlewis Street.

It is proposed that the current property at 21 Curlewis Street is demolished to make way for the striking building.

In its application, Mhn Design Union architects state the sports centre will be for older people who it claims are not catered for in the area.

The current property on the site which will be demolished as part of the plans

“With an ageing population the proposed proposal will ensure that the older generation can

access a recreational facility in which they feel comfortable with low impact

classes offered such as yoga, pilates and swimming,” the proposal to council states. “In addition, the swimming pool will also cater for children learning to swim.”

The contemporary looking building, which features moving blades on its exterior, will have its main entrance on Curlewis Street.

The swimming pool will be on the ground floor with a lobby area, lockers and bathrooms.

Level one will have a gymnasium area for barre pilates and unisex bathroom and change

rooms.

The swimming pool on ground level

There will be another gymnasium for a yoga studio on level two with a north-facing terrace area and unisex bathroom and change rooms.

Level three will have another gymnasium, a north-facing terrace area and unisex

bathrooms.

There will be no on-site parking but there will be space for five bicycles.

The applicant states that four trees will have to be chopped down to make way for the centre.

“The proposed recreation facility will cater for the older generation which is

considered to not be catered for in the Bondi area at present,” the applicant states.

The architects plans to use neutral colours in and around the pool area

It is proposed the centre will be open from 6am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 9pm at the weekend.

The building is covered in what are called louvre blades which are like giant window blinds.

The Surry Hills-based architects state the moving blades create a “dynamic wave like pattern across the facade”.

They are designed to filter sunlight, shield from rain and increase the thermal performance of the building.

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