Ros Spence, Kathleen Matthews-Ward praise Fawkner Leisure Centre redevelopment
A long-awaited, multimillion-dollar “world class” fitness hub is coming to Fawkner with enough workout gear to keep any fitness buff busy.
North West
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Fitness lovers in Melbourne’s north west will get a kick out of a revamped leisure centre that will include a 50m pool, larger gym and a cycle studio.
Stage one of the The Fawkner Leisure Centre revamp — which closed on April 7 for the mega $36.8m upgrade — will be ready in time for summer 2024.
The first stage will also include a refurbished sauna and spa space and a cafe lounge area.
A warm water program pool, a change room extension, and a new family change hub are expected to be ready for summer 2026 as part of stage two.
Merri-bek Mayor Angelica Panopoulos said: “I’m thrilled that we have broken ground on the redevelopment of Fawkner Leisure Centre. This $36.8m project will deliver world-class active facilities in Merri-bek’s north,”
“The revamped centre will be more accessible, environmentally friendly and provide more options for all ages and abilities to participate in a healthy and active lifestyle.
“I look forward to welcoming Merri-bek residents back to make a splash at the centre for the 2024-25 summer season.”
The state government is providing a $8m guaranteed loan for the project, with 200 jobs to be created during construction, with 95 ongoing jobs.
“We’re proud to help communities like Fawkner kickstart projects that provide even more opportunities to come together and get active,” Community Sport Minister Ros Spence said.
The centre was flagged in the council’s Aquatic and Leisure Strategy 2018 as in need of an upgrade due to its age.
The development has long been in the pipeline with former mayor John Kavanagh putting former Broadmeadows MP Frank McGuire on notice over the project in 2018.
It was subject to a community campaign as locals rallied to save the outdoor pool and its facilities from a plan they described as a “downgrade” in 2021.
Fawkner residents are being offered spots at Brunswick Baths, Coburg Leisure Centre and Oak Park Sports and Aquatic Centre while the redevelopment is ongoing.
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