Background
The Ivanhoe Aquatic & Fitness Centre is a key recreational facility for the community and was established in the mid 1980s following a redevelopment of the original outdoor 50 metre pool, which was developed as the training facility for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.
In 2012 a Masterplan was developed to address the ageing infrastructure. As part of this process and to ensure that the facility continued to meet the community’s needs into the future, we undertook an extensive program of consultation and research.
The project will deliver on Council’s commitment to net zero through an all-electric, 5 Star Green Star accredited facility outcome.
Stage 1 works included:
- Increased size and layout of the gymnasium and group fitness space
- Improved amenities and improved accessibility
- Improved reception area and a new social space for customers
- Refurbished Centre, both internal and external features
- Providing office and storage space for staff
Stage 2 of the Masterplan is now in the design phase.
In 2020 further targeted stakeholder engagement was undertaken to review the 2012 Masterplan and inform the development of a Draft Banyule Aquatic Strategy.
Throughout 2021, several workshops were held to address the scope of this next stage and explore Sustainable Environmental Design (ESD) goals.
This stage addresses capacity constraints and ageing infrastructure associated with the aquatic hall.
Scope of works considered:
- Fixing and upgrading the existing 25m pool
- Additional program pool for learn to swim, aqua classes and warm water activities
- Interactive leisure water/aqua play equipment
- Spa and sauna upgrades and relocation
- New and upgraded change rooms
What we heard
In April 2022 we consulted with members, staff and the community and received feedback from 117 participants through an online survey. The feedback suggests there is widespread support for this redevelopment which has been earmarked since 2012 as part of Council’s ongoing commitment to positive health and wellbeing outcomes for the community.
What you told us:
Concept 2
Revised concept plans and new concept renders
The revised concept 2 was endorsed by Council on 26 September 2022 to proceed to schematic and detailed design. View a copy of the Council report.
What has changed?
- The warm water pool size has increased to 10m x 20m with a variable depth of 1.1m-1.3m
- The new learn to swim pool has been separated from the existing toddler pool (12.5m x 10m)
- The outdoor zero-depth water play space has been removed and we have added a water play space to the existing toddler pool
- A steam room has been added with the spa and sauna
Concept 1
Initial concept plans
Initial concept plans were endorsed for community consultation by Council at its meeting on 11 April 2022.
Concept renders
Take a sneak peak at what the new aquatic spaces might look like.
Initial concept plans proposed:
- A new warm water pool (10m x10m - 1.1m depth)
- A new learn to swim pool adjoined the existing toddler pool (12.5m x 10m)
- An upgrade of the existing 25m pool and existing toddler pool (fix leaks and new tiling)
- An outdoor zero-depth water play space
- To relocate spa and sauna
