Hills Shire Council commits to rebuild of Waves Aquatic Centre

May 12, 2020

The Hills Shire Council has moved forward with its $55 million plan to rebuild the area’s only public pool, Waves Aquatic Centre at Baulkham Hills.

With the renewal of the facility a major project that has been approved and is ready to go, a meeting of the Council tonight has awarded the construction tender to ADCO Constructions Pty Limited.

Confident in the new facility as a source of economic stimulus, the Council estimates that the redevelopment of the Centre will create 170 jobs over its two-year construction and provide at least 41 full-time operational jobs over many decades as well as economic benefits spread through the community. The new pool would serve existing users and those making their homes in an area experiencing the rapid population growth of Sydney’s expansion.

A FINA-approved, fully accessible, 10-lane Olympic swimming pool capable of serving both school carnivals and elite sporting events as well as training will be the focus. Indoor and outdoor recreational pool and water play for families, essential learn-to-swim facilities, warm water accessible hydrotherapy pool and new gymnasium are also part of the redevelopment. A replacement clubhouse for the local Swimming and Lifesaving Club, as well as additional off-street parking, are also planned.

Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, said Waves was adored by locals and would serve a population of more than 365,800 people living within a 15-minute drive.

Mayor Byrne advised “Waves has served our region faithfully for more than 50 years, and many of us have fond memories of heady summer days spent splashing at our local pool.

“Australians love their public pools, but like many aging Sydney pools, Waves became an economic and significant maintenance burden for Council. Additionally, it no longer complied with modern hygiene and accessibility standards.

“Rather than abandon our only pool, Council chose to embark on a visionary project to think innovatively about how Waves could serve our community in the future.

“We investigated renewing the facility on a like-for-like basis for approximately $30 million and we’d committed those funds.

“However, once we received expert advice, it was obvious the right and most effective value for money thing to do was to create a whole new centre that would meet increasing demand, create the opportunity for more people to use it and really meet the expectations of both our current and future population,” she said.

To achieve the vision, Council committed to a $55 million Masterplan for Waves, and is now seeking NSW and Federal Government funding partnerships to bring the entire project to fruition.

Mayor Byrne added "to complete this project properly, considering it is at least a 50-year community asset, a budget of $55 million is needed.

“This was $25 million more than Council originally considered.

“We have already committed significant funds and while we are in no way seeking the total cost from Federal or State governments, we are seeking some support.

“We see Council as the major contributor in a financial partnership between the three tiers of government that will provide a wonderful new regional asset.

“The project is shovel-ready and will deliver direct recreational, social and economic benefits to the catchment, which extends well beyond our Shire.”

“Nearly 40 primary and secondary schools are within the Waves catchment area and, over the years, the majority of them have used the pool. The new complex offers exiting opportunities for their future needs.

“At a time when the economy is crying out for major infrastructure, this project will generate significant construction and operational benefits over many decades, estimated to be $57.6 million in output from direct construction expenditure, and $24.5 million in gross output each year of operation.”

“COVID-19 restrictions won’t be in place forever and by funding the new Waves now will not only create much-needed meaningful work over the next two years but will also mean the pool will be fully operational when we are all ready to live the Australian life outdoors again.”

ADCO Constructions's successful tender was for an overall cost for 'Concept B' (including an additional 25 metre pool) including contingency for $50,922,080 (excluding GST).

Images: Artist's impression of the redeveloped Waves Aquatic Centre (top), Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne at the facility (middle) and the concept for the redevelopment (below). Images courtesy of The Hills Shire Council.

12th May 2020 - Industry alliance provides guidance on community aquatic, recreation and sport operations in eased Coronavirus environment

11th May 2020 - ARI release guidelines for managing Coronavirus risks in reopened aquatic centres

6th May 2020 - Eurobodalla Shire Council moves forward with plans for new Batemans Bay Aquatic and Cultural Centre

1st May 2020 - Royal Life Saving makes the case for the reopening of Australia’s aquatic centres and swim schools

1st May 2020 - Goulburn Mulwaree Council seeks to advance aquatic centre redevelopment plans

30th April 2020 - Coffs Harbour Council rejects financial assistance request from aquatic facility operator

3rd April 2020 - Royal Life Saving welcomes JobKeeper payments as a ‘$700 million lifeline’ for aquatic facilities and swim schools

1st April 2020 - Swimplex Aquatics highlight current shutdown period an ideal time for slide and pool maintenance

18th February 2020 - Baulkham Hills’ Waves Aquatic Centre to close at end of March for $48 million redevelopment

31st January 2020 - Gas bill shock triggers revolution in energy-efficient aquatic centre design

29th January 2020 - New Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre to be heated by cogeneration system

20th September 2019 - Gold Coast Council moves forward with new aquatic and sporting facilities

30th August 2019 - Western Sydney council facing massive cost to refurbish 50-year-old aquatic centre

22nd August 2018 - Baulkham Waves team member receives Royal Life Saving Excellence in Customer Service award

28th September 2017 - Mount Annan Leisure Centre gets official opening

6th May 2016 - Builder hands over redeveloped Tobruk Memorial Pool in Cairns

11th December 2014 - Marrickville Council sues builder over $5 million of defects at Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.