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The breakdown on Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre’s $63m rebuild

After 50 years, Northcote Aquatic Centre is now getting a five-star revamp. But why will it be so expensive? Leader probes the reasons behind its eye-watering construction cost.

Expensive aquatic centres might just be the new norm. Picture: generic.
Expensive aquatic centres might just be the new norm. Picture: generic.

The $63.5 million price tag attached to the new Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre has raised some eyebrows.

But a Leader investigation into similar facilities around Melbourne has revealed the mind-boggling cost might just be the new normal.

Darebin Council is completely rebuilding NARC, which was built in 1968. Construction is expected to begin in 2021 and be completed by 2024.

The proposed centre will include a 50m outdoor pool, indoor 25m pool, spa, steam and sauna rooms, a gym, wellness room, cycle studio and pilates room.

In 2017 Otium Planning Group conducted a study of the facility, and found the beloved centre was nearing the end of its usable life expectancy.

An artist’s impression of the understated new NARC.
An artist’s impression of the understated new NARC.

The report said repairing the facilities, especially the underground pool infrastructure, would be costly, and maintenance alone would be $3.3 million over the next 10 years.

A separate report from Macutex advised against reusing any of the existing infrastructure on the site.

The council employed Warren and Mahoney Architects, who recently designed the new sports centre at La Trobe University, to deliver the plans.

A floorplan for the new aquatic centre.
A floorplan for the new aquatic centre.

Darebin Mayor Susan Rennie said rebuilding aquatic centres was a “costly exercise” but necessary.

“Like-to-like comparisons aren’t always telling,” she said.

“Differing community and user needs, ground conditions, regulations, environmentally sustainable design and market conditions can have a major impact on the project cost.”

“NARC is on track to become a six-star rated Green Star facility, which we believe will be an Australian first for an aquatic leisure centre.”

How it rates against similar Melbourne centres

Kew

Plans for the new Kew Recreation Centre, budgeted at $67.5 million.
Plans for the new Kew Recreation Centre, budgeted at $67.5 million.

Across the Yarra the Kew Recreation Centre is undergoing a full redevelopment for a price tag of $67.5 million.

This will include multiple pools, an aqua play area, sports courts and rooms for fitness classes.

Construction was expected to begin this year.

St Albans

An artist’s impression of the St Albans Leisure Centre replacement.
An artist’s impression of the St Albans Leisure Centre replacement.

Brimbank Council is building a replacement St Albans Leisure Centre budgeted at more than $60 million.

The centre is planned to have water slides, a 50m competition pool, gym, and learn to swim and program pools.

Construction was expected to start in July.

Oak Park

The outdoor set up at Oak Park has proven popular with locals in summertime.
The outdoor set up at Oak Park has proven popular with locals in summertime.

The nearby Oak Park Sports and Aquatic Centre opened in October 2018 at the cost of $27.3 million.

This was a complete knock down and rebuild of the original pool built in 1966.

Oak Park features a 50m outdoor pool, gym, splash pool, water slides and a group fitness area.

Greensborough

WaterMarc was state of the art back in 2012.
WaterMarc was state of the art back in 2012.

In Greensborough, the WaterMarc development was a complete tear down and rebuild which cost $53 million.

Constructed in 2012, the centre has an indoor Olympic swimming pool, learn to swim pool, spa, sauna and steam rooms, and a water slide.

Elsewhere

The Thomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre, opened in 2010, blew out to $29.2 million after an original budget of $18 million.

This centre has an indoor 25m pool, spa facilities, health club and three smaller pools.

In Bentleigh East, GESAC opened in 2012 at a cost of $41.2 million.

It has a 50m outdoor pool, 25m indoor pool and a range of health and wellness facilities.

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Reservoir Leisure Centre is also expected to get a makeover of its own.

richard.pearce@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/the-breakdown-on-northcote-aquatic-and-recreation-centres-63m-rebuild/news-story/ecdb9676e5b19bc2f52f20e8eee1cf84