AusLeisure

Architects dwp have highlighted how a new generation of aquatic, fitness, recreation and sport facilities are creating environments where people want to spend their time and how making exercise locations “attractive” is delivering a range of social benefits.

In a recent communication to stakeholders, Mike McGrath, dwp’s Sport and Leisure Leader, points to the recently opened Cockburn ARC aquatic and recreation centre, commenting “when we make a sports venue kids want to spend more time in, it not only makes them healthier in the short term, it sets them up for a healthy adult life and avoids a future cost burden to society.

“This insight is becoming more apparent globally, where governments need to find solutions to a rapidly increasing child obesity epidemic.”

Designed by dwp and with Perth-based architects Sandover Pinder, McGrath explains “the (Cockburn ARC) incorporates both community and elite sports facilities under the one roof. Aquatic recovery, an altitude chamber and indoor running track offer first class facilities for the Fremantle Dockers AFL football team, while three waterslides and an impressive eight pools attract people of all ages.”

McGrath says there are clear design challenges in co-locating facilities, adding “we needed to design spaces that offer elite athletes exclusive access sometimes, but accommodate the public at other times.”

He sees that the result is a building that works “harder” and delivers greater value for money.

dwp’s Stephen Cheney, who has decades of experience designing community facilities, also sees the importance of “doing more with less”, emphasising that Governments are beginning to recognise that “investing more money in leisure facilities means less money spent on hospitals.”

Cheney emphasises the Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre in South Australia, also designed by dwp and Hames Sharley, for being located in a precinct with nearby medical and aged care facilities.

Highlighting the direct connection between physical activity and good health and how bringing both community and elite sport facilities together offers other “social capital benefits”’ like community pride, Cheney concludes “when people rub shoulders with elite athletes it encourages them to be active themselves.” 

Click here to contact dwp via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

Images: The reception of the Cockburn ARC (top) and the Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre (below).

29th August 2017 - COCKBURN ARC BRANDING ACHIEVEMENTS RECOGNISED WITH INDUSTRY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING AWARD

31st July 2017 - COCKBURN ARC WINS MASTER BUILDERS AWARD 

21st July 2017 - DWP AUSTRALIA TO DESIGN NEW GOULBURN AQUATIC CENTRE 

20th May 2017 - COCKBURN ARC OPENING A NEW ‘FACILITY BENCHMARK’ 

7th April 2017 - LEADING INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE DWP LOOKS TO TRANSFORM ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN IN AUSTRALIA

2nd September 2015 - ARCHITECTS HIGHLIGHT CONTEMPORARY AQUATIC AND RECREATION FACILITIES AS SOCIAL HUBS

1st May 2013 - SUTERS ARCHITECTS AND DWP LAUNCH INTEGRATED DESIGN SOLUTION

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