Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre: Federal government urged to fund roof upgrade at facility
Parts of the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre are filled with holes after years of deterioration, prompting the Hobart City Council to plead with the federal government for funding help.
Tasmania
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The roof sheeting on the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre is at risk of blowing off in high winds, sparking a plea for federal funding assistance to remedy the “really urgent” situation.
The centre’s roof has gradually deteriorated since the facility first opened in 1997 and has received no significant works since a fire damaged the centre in 2001.
Damage to the moisture barrier membrane is leading to rising energy costs and issues with condensation and thermal insulation, while the ageing roof structure poses a safety risk in the event of severe weather.
Large holes have opened up in the ceiling above the pool hall and gym, as well as the administration and aerobics areas.
In the lead-up to the federal election, the Hobart City Council, which owns and operates the aquatic centre, is calling on the major parties to commit $7m for a roof upgrade.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said this would be a “relatively small” investment for the Commonwealth but a “huge” cost for a city council.
“It is a really urgent project to make this [centre] work better, be less costly, less energy-hungry, and just work better as a facility,” she said.
According to the council, a range of works are required, including maintenance of the roof’s fixings and skylights, reinstatement of the ceiling moisture barrier and reinstallation of the thermal insulation, and a mechanical ventilation upgrade.
Nick Canals, the aquatic centre’s business manager, said the failure of the ceiling membrane had caused holes in the roof space, which meant moisture and chlorinated air was damaging the insulation and fixings.
“That’s a risk for us because the fixings keep the roof sheets in place and there’s a risk of them becoming dislodged in high winds,” he said.
It’s estimated that more than 600,000 people visit the aquatic centre every year. It’s the most-used sporting facility in Southern Tasmania and is utilised by people from all over the region.
If the council fails to secure federal funding for the roof upgrade, it may result in higher rates due to repairs and increased maintenance and energy costs.
Users of the facility would also have to endure subpar conditions because of poor building pressurisation, condensation troubles, and an overall decline in the quality of the centre.
Water polo players would be among the most impacted users and Aaron Debnam, the president of Water Polo Tasmania, said if the centre ever had to shut down, the sport would be “greatly affected”.
The aquatic centre has the only competition-worthy pool for water polo in Tasmania, with a depth of two metres.
“Anything that we can do to improve the facility that our kids are growing up and playing in would be amazing,” Mr Debnam said.
The state government has granted $250,000 to the council for upgrades to the spa, sauna, and steam room in 2025.
More than $5.8m worth of projects have been completed under a 2017 master plan for the redevelopment of the facility, including a new solar energy system and refurbishment of the leisure pool.
In 2023, the council was forced to shelve plans for an outdoor warm water pool and wellness centre – which had secured federal and state support – after cost escalations created a $7m shortfall in the project budget and top-up funding was not provided.
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