Council Aquatic Centres and Swimming Pools are often the main centre of social connection and recreation in regional towns and are important for supporting active and healthy communities. However, they require large capital outlays for construction and substantial annual expenses for successful maintenance and operations. This, along with the changing needs of communities, means that clear strategies and careful management are required to meet the requirements of budgets as well as providing appropriate community services.
The solution for ageing pools is not necessarily as straight forward as a simple replacement. Councils need to consider not only the costs of construction, but also the current asset life and value of the facility. To write off a facility that still has a remaining useful life can impact the financial position of a Council through write-off costs and does not contribute to sustainability within the region.
GenEng has assisted many Regional Councils to develop strategies that prolong the lives of existing pools and develop effective asset management plans around these facilities. Below are some of the Swimming Pool projects we have delivered:
Lockyer Valley Aquatic Centre
Project Management, Contract Management, and Supervision
The need for a new aquatic facility for the Lockyer Valley was determined in 2007 with the existing Gatton pool facility aging and requiring an increasing level of expenditure on maintenance, and the active local swimming club requiring a higher-class facility.
The Lockyer Valley Regional Council (LVRC) partnered with the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing, who committed $2.5M to the project. Extensive stakeholder engagement and community consultation took place to determine the scope, and a steering committee was established to guide all aspects of the project, including the scope definition, design, specifications and delivery method.
GenEng Solutions was appointed to administer the $12.6M AS2124 construction contract and project-managed the construction of the state-of-the-art facility. This included an Olympic standard 50m pool (the only inland 10-lane swimming pool in Queensland), a learn to swim pool, clubhouse/control room, and refurbished gym and kitchen. As the centre was built adjacent to the existing sports centre and showgrounds, staged construction, and a high level of logistical management was required to ensure that the works did not cause disruption to the ongoing operation of these two facilities.
Due to the high levels of clay in the soil and the tendency for a lot of ground movement, the pools were constructed using an innovative technique whereby the pool slabs are supported on bored piers with a 75 mm void between the ground and the slab to avoid ground-movement impact on the pool structure.
Our GenEng Superintendent held fortnightly site meetings with all stakeholders including the contractor, Council representatives, the pool designer, architect, engineering consultants and the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing. This process allowed issues to be identified and resolved quickly and ensured that clear communication was maintained.
The project was delivered on budget, providing the Lockyer Valley and larger Darling Downs district with a FINA-standard pool capable of hosting regional events, together with state-of-the-art timing equipment allowing official swimming records to be set.
SRC: Lowood Pool
Feasibility Reports, Tender Implementation, and Project Supervision
The Lowood pool is a typical 25 m pool in a rural area with high maintenance costs and a water treatment system that no longer meets Queensland Health guidelines (which have become more stringent over time). It also provides limited access to people with disabilities. As the centre services smaller neighbouring communities that don’t have pools, Somerset Regional Council (SRC) commissioned studies to investigate options for either refurbishing, renewing, or replacing the pool.
GenEng were tasked with consolidating these studies and considering additional information that Council had prepared in relation to the facility. Our recommendation was to refurbish the pool with a modular system and ramp access.
GeEneng prepared tenders for the pool refurbishment however, the pricing of the modular system had significantly increased, and an alternative replacement was considered. The contract has recently been entered into to replace the pool with a new concrete shell with ramp access and a waterplay feature adjacent to the pool. GenEng is the Superintendent for the contract on behalf of council.
Goondiwindi 50m pool
Procurement, Project Management, and Supervision
The Goondiwindi 50 m swimming pool was constructed in the 1960s and aging infrastructure meant that there was a lack of disabled access for users as well as concerns about water quality and water loss. Goondiwindi Regional Council (GRC) had sought several reports with many of the suggested solutions strongly recommending new facilities or rehabilitation works with similar capital value beyond Council’s budget allocation. GenEng was tasked with assessing these reports and investigating the most promising solutions.
The solution recommended was the Myrtha modular panel relining system with a new wet deck to improve the water circulation as well as ramp access with handrails. The upgraded water treatment plant included a balance tank, new filter system, and pumping plant. Technology was introduced to monitor the treatment system and provide remote alarms for situations where the system may not be performing to set targets.
Geneng managed the procurement process and undertook the role of Superintendent for the duration of the refurbishment contract. Council now has an upgraded, fully functioning aquatic facility that suits the needs of the community while also addressing Council budgetary and compliance concerns. “The new pool lining especially has made such a big difference, and the new access ramp will ensure everyone is able to enjoy this wonderful local asset.”
CHRC: Springsure Aquatic Centre
Design development
GenEng is currently assisting the Central Highlands Regional Council (CHRC) in the preparation of designs for the Springsure Aquatic Centre. The project will involve the provision of a 25 m lap pool and a smaller program pool which will be heated for all year swimming and exercising. A waterplay facility will be introduced for families to gather and enjoy the fun of water play.