Over 32,000 households were mailed a survy last year with most respondents favouring replacing Holroyd’s three ageing swim centres with a new aquatic wellness centre.
Council engaged pool consultant Geoff Ninnes Fong and Partners to assess the work and costs that would be involved in renewing the three swim centres versus building a single aquatic wellness centre.
The report found that it would cost $20m to bring the three existing centres, which are reaching the end of their lifecycle and operating at a $1.3m - $1.6m loss to ratepayers each year, up to acceptable functionality, compliance, accessibility and energy efficiency standards.
Even with this investment, there would not be a significant increase in the pools’ potential to meet the modern aquatic and wellness needs of residents and the centres’ structures would still need to be replaced in 15 years.
In comparison, a new aquatic wellness centre would cost $30m, have a lifecycle of 50-plus years, break even on operational costs once fully operational and potentially provide a positive return.
Holroyd City Mayor, Nasr Kafrouni, said the new aquatic wellness centre would help the city keep pace with the needs of its growing community and boost Holroyd’s visitor economy.
“The Holroyd community, from our children to our seniors, have told us that they want to live in a place where they can stay healthy and active,” Clr Kafrouni said.
“The new centre could have everything from aqua play areas and learning pools for our kids to water therapy pools for our injured and aged.
“It will also give our community and neighbours in Fairfield, Auburn, Parramatta, Homebush and Ryde an alternative place to keep fit and have fun in a family-friendly environment, which is good for our local business and economy.”
