Darwin Lord Mayor lauds new Casuarina pool final designs
Final designs have been released for Casuarina pool’s $25m refurbishment. Read what the Council is doing.
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A huge reveal for the Casuarina swimming pool project with final designs was given the green-light by City of Darwin this week.
Council approved the pool plan on Tuesday and Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis could hardly wait to announce details on Thursday morning at the old swimming pool site.
He said the $25m project reflected the vision of stakeholders who took part in the consultation phase and added value and depth to the process.
Cost blow-outs due to asbestos removal and unforeseen power upgrades had been contained within the existing budget.
And he delivered a sneaky slap to the NT Labor government about cost blowouts currently dogging one of its key projects.
“The (NT) government has deep pockets, councils haven’t and council has to have a balanced budget so we can’t go into deficit,” he said.
“I’m used to projects blowing their budgets and currently there’s a project over at Tiger Brennan Drive that went three times the price and that will not happen here. It will be in line with the price we specified.”
Developers Halikos said 48 people were currently working on the pool, which Council hopes will breathe new life into the old Casuarina site.
The old pool was nudging 50 years old and will be renamed Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
A long-time resident of the northern suburbs and former Casuarina MLA, Mr Vatskalis said the facility was “long overdue”.
The new centre will include an eight-lane 50m pool, a temperature controlled, six-lane 25m learn-to-swim pool, a resort-style lagoon pool, cafe and BBQ facilities, dry and wet play areas, a basketball half court, large grassed area, minimum 70 per cent solid shade over 50m and 25m pools, zero-depth access to all pools and relocated and upgraded change rooms and toilets.
“It not only looks fantastic, but it’s also a great reflection of what our community and key stakeholders told us they wanted for the final design,” Mr Vatskalis said.
“This new centre will really change how people enjoy Darwin’s great outdoors, whether it’s a leisurely dip, learning to swim, training, playing with friends or just relaxing with family.
“The facility is set to become a dynamic community hub that provides safe, accessible and healthy options for exercise and fun.”
With about 35 per cent of construction complete, the new centre is expected to be opened late next year.
He said areas of the pool were left unshaded because without natural heating the pool would be too cold.
“If you completely cover the swimming pool and the water is 30 degrees in Darwin, people are freezing,” he said.
“We need the sun to heat the pools.
“This is a big project and was well overdue. The old Casuarina pool was nearly 50 years old and needed to be fixed and now we’re very happy with the state-of-the art centre that will be opened at the end of 2024.”
Under City of Darwin’s swimming pool plan, the three existing pools will remain. Parap was earmarked for compeitition and training, Casuarina as an aquatic centre and Nightcliff for families, tourism and relaxing.
The federal government committed $7.5m to the pool project, with City of Darwin footing the rest of the bill.
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