Aquatics Upgrade and New Waterplay Park
Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre, Enmore
September 2009 - Demolition completed
By the end of August, the former aquatic centre was demolished and the existing pools removed. Delta Group will the strip the overburden from the area of the new building and fill the excavations of the existing pool. It is expected these works will take approximately two weeks depending on the weather and will see the completion of the Early Works contract before the due date.
The Early Works are being undertaken in accordance with Development Consent DA200900113. This consent can be viewed by downloading the document below:
 Ceramic mural on wall of pump room before the enclosure of the main pool. (photo: Matthew McKee)  Section of mural being removed for installation in the new centre. Consent condition 31 restricts working hours on the site to between 7.00am and 5.30pm Monday to Saturdays, excluding Public Holidays.
Construction of the new facility is expected to commence by late September 2009 and Council aims to have the project completed by the end of 2010 for the summer swimming season of 2010/2011. Further information on construction works will be provided as late September approaches.
In the meantime, residents will be able to enjoy swimming with an extended season at Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre in Petersham. The pool will open a month early, from Tuesday 1 September 2009, and close two weeks later than usual on Sunday 18 April 2010. Additional heating, seating, tables and a shade structure will be provided to manage increased demand.
Closure and demolition works to date
The Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre (AKAC) in Enmore was closed for demolition and redevelopment on Sunday 12 July 2009, following development approval being granted at Council's meeting on Tuesday 7 July 2009.
Council awarded a contract to the Delta Group to undertake the Early Works for the redevelopment of the aquatics centre. Works began with the erection of perimeter fencing and the construction of access driveways, along with the construction of several tree protection zones for the paperbark trees along Black Street. DA approval has been granted for a number of trees to be removed, and a number of other trees will be transplanted to new locations.
As part of the initial works, a section of the ceramic mural was removed and will be re-installed in the new redevelopment. In addition, the "Airport Mural" from the front of the existing centre has been removed and placed in Council's history collection.
Background
The redevelopment of the Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre will provide the Marrickville community with a state-of-the-art aquatic complex and high quality leisure facilities. The redevelopment aims to improve the overall experience of visiting the aquatic centre by providing additional services such as a crèche, gym and café and upgrading the outdated changing and administration facilities.
Artist's impression of redeveloped Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre
Click to enlarge - opens in a new window/tab
The proposed new aquatic centre includes:
- a new state-of-the-art 50m pool;
- a learn-to-swim pool and a leisure pool;
- tiered seating for up to 150 people;
- an outdoor paved terrace with seating that overlooks the park;
- a paved entry court off Black Street and the adjacent path;
- improved changing facilities, office and reception area, public toilets and lockers;
- a café that is accessible to both Park and Pool users;
- a multi-purpose space suitable for a crèche; and
- a Wellness Centre (including fitness and gym facilities).
Development Consent
On Tuesday 7 July, Council granted development consents for the proposed redevelopment. Two consents were issued; DA200900113 for the early Works and DA200900114 (site establishment and demolition) for the Main Works (construction of the new centre). Details of the consents can be viewed in the document linked below:
Copies of the approved Development Consent drawings can be viewed by clicking on the following links:
Preparation of the New Concept Design (August to December 2008)
A new design plan has been prepared which included significant design changes to the initial concept design that was exhibited for public comment in May 2008. Marrickville Council took into consideration the views of the community and supported a series of design changes to the initial concept design. On Tuesday 16 December 2008, Council approved the new design for the Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre and approved a public exhibition and consultation process, which took place prior to lodging a Development Application (Item GM 107, C/M 10/08).
The main changes to the proposed new design included:
- The area (footprint) occupied by the proposed new pool complex (including the pool building and outside area), is significantly less than what was proposed in the initial concept design. It is now smaller than the area of the existing pool buildings and accompanying fenced grassy area.
- The reduced footprint means the BBQ and seating area in the park will be retained.
- The reduced footprint also allows for the expansion of the existing playground in the Victoria Road and Black Street area of the park.
- In addition, the pathway between Black Street and the rondel in the centre of the park will be retained.
- The roof height has been lowered so that it is no higher than the roof of the existing pool building.
- The design of the roof has been simplified to better reflect its surrounds.
- The new building will be set back from Black Street allowing the row of paperbark trees to be maintained. The smaller footprint allows other trees to be retained and additional planting has also been included in the concept park masterplan.
- The bulk of the building has been reduced by setting the main floor into the ground allowing for the retention of the park on the northern (Llewellyn Street) and western (Park side) perimeters.
- The southern section of roof has been reversed so that it slopes towards the pathway between Black Street and the rondel. This substantially reduces the bulk of the building as seen from the park.
- The cafe will be located on the park side of the pool complex and will face towards the park so that it is easily accessible for both pool and park users. The new cafe also includes a paved deck allowing outdoor seating towards the centre of the park.
These designs were on public exhibition from Monday 26 January to Sunday 16 February 2009. To view an archived page follow the link below:
Parking and Traffic
Further detailed studies of parking and traffic were undertaken by the project team. These included a reassessment of the projected numbers attending the centre, the likely demand for parking, opportunities to better manage existing parking to reduce impacts on local residents and identification of opportunities to increase the supply of parking in the immediate vicinity. A further report of the findings was put on public exhibition in March. To view these documents, visit the archived consultation page at the link below:
Enmore Park Plan of Management
The new concept design has been prepared in accordance with Council’s existing Plan of Management for Enmore Park (1991).
Council is currently preparing a new Plan of Management for Enmore Park, including a new masterplan, which proposes a number of additional improvements in the park including; new play spaces with softfall surfaces, an upgrade to the barbeque facilities, additional seating and cycle racks, landscaping, trees and lawn areas. Further information regarding these works will be provided shortly.
For more information please see the following documents:
Fact Sheet on the Concept Park Masterplan and Pool Interface:
To read more about the redevelopment of the Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre click here.
Project timeline
The Annette Kellerman Story
Annette Kellerman was a Marrickville-born swimmer, aquatic performer and actress, who at one point held all of the world's records for womens' swimming.
Visit this page to learn more about Annette Kellerman, after whom the aquatic centre was officially re-named in 1994.
Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre, Petersham
Concept design for refurbishment on public exhibition
A new concept for the refurbishment of the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre is now on exhibition until 15 October 2009. For further information please click here to visit the consultation page.
Proposed upgrades of the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre
At the December 2008 meeting of the Major Projects Steering Committee, members considered a report relating to the FDAC, which outlined the background to proposals for the upgrade of the Centre and the various budgets that have guided the past work. The report proposed a budget for the project of $3.5m being the last budget discussed by Council of $2.615m with amendments and escalated to current prices for completion in 2011.
Following review and further development of the concept plan, the proposed works for the new FDAC include: a new 25m x 8 lane pool; new toddlers pool; new splash deck; new grassed mounds; new fence to separate the children's pool from the main pool; new shade structures; new perimeter fencing; refurbishment of change rooms; new accessible toilet/parents room; new toilets serving the park; new reception & office; new kiosk/café; and new deck.
With the closure of the Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre it is essential that the FDAC remain operational until early 2011. It is envisaged that Stage 1 works (refurbishment of existing amenities) will take place between June and August 2010. This will be followed by the closure of the FDAC in the first half of 2011/12 in order to complete Stage 2 works which include: the upgrade to the pools & other infrastructure; construction of the new entry, kiosk/café and toilets; and landscaping.
Background
The upgrade of the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre at Petersham was covered in the Marrickville Aquatic Leisure Facilities Feasibility Study of 2004, which was presented to Council at the meeting of 20 February 2006 (Item GM 14, 02/06) as part of the Aquatic Upgrade Package.
At this meeting, Council resolved to adopt the Aquatic Upgrade Package, including the upgrade of Petersham Pool to include a 25-metre pool, 15-metre program pool, refurbished foyer and changing rooms and new café and deck at a total cost of $2,615,624. Council also resolved at this meeting that the Enmore Pool upgrade be undertaken before the Petersham Pool upgrade.
The Fanny Durack Story
Fanny Durack was an Olympic swimming legend and a champion of women's rights. She was the first woman swimmer to win gold at an Olympic Games, and held every world freestyle record during her peak.
Visit this page to learn more about Fanny Durack, after whom this aquatic centre was officially named in 1999.
A New Waterplay Park
Council has undertaken considerable work on the Waterplay Park project and has lodged a Development Application. A copy of the DA booklet can be viewed below:
The Waterplay Park project integrates the combination of a new saltmarsh on the banks of the Cooks River, upgrade of the Regional Cycleway, stormwater treatment facilities, and extensive landscaping and revegetation in the park.
Background
At its December 2006 meeting, Council resolved to seek the community's views on two site options within Steel Park - one in the foreground for the Debbie and Abbey Borgia Centre, and the other in the foreshore of the Cooks River near the existing carpark and exercise facilities.
A copy of the report to this Council meeting can be viewed here.
A program of public exhibition and community consultation for the new Waterplay Park proposal was held between Wednesday, 7 March, 2007, and Wednesday, 4 April, 2007.
An information brochure on the exhibition is provided below.
The feedback from this consultation was reported back to the Major Projects Steering Committee and Council. At its meeting of 15 May, 2007, Council resolved to seek quotations from consultants to prepare preliminary waterplay designs for the two (2) main Steel Park site options and that the information be reported back to Council. A copy of the report to the May meeting (Item GM 41, C/M 04/07) is provided below.
In June 2007, Council endorsed the engagement of consultants to prepare preliminary concept designs for a new Waterplay Park at Steel Park for the previously identified site locations.
A report was submitted to Council’s meeting of 5 November, 2007, seeking Council’s determination of a preferred site option for the new Waterplay Park. A copy of the report is provided below.
Council resolved at this meeting to approve Steel Park on the Cooks River foreshore (in proximity to existing BBQ and amenities) as the preferred site option for a new Waterplay Park. Council has since appointed a consortium of consultants led by the firm KIAH Infranet for the design, approvals and documentation required to advance the proposal.
At its meeting of 17 June 2008 (Item GM 52, 05/08), Council resolved to endorse further investigation of a revised scope for the Waterplay Park project in accordance with a holistic option involving a broader integration with Council’s planned Steel Park upgrade, recently presented by the consultants KIAH Infranet. Council also resolved to allocate additonal funding of $500,000 from the Property Reserve (arising from the projected savings in New Children’s Centre Marrickville South project) as a means of addressing the current shortfall in funding for this option.
It is expected that further technical and design investigations will be carried out on the holistic option, prior to community consultation and further reporting to the Major Projects Steering Committee and Council, and subsequent lodgement of a development application.
A copy of the report to Council can be viewed here.
Project timeline
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