Bold vision for Aquamoves

DRAFT MASTER PLAN OUTLINES $31.675 MILLION FOR REDEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF THE FACILITY

Aquamoves attracts more than 600,000 visits annually and during the peak summer months has up to 65,000 visitors a month.

The aquatic area accounts for about 62 per cent of visits followed by health and fitness at 38 per cent.

The top three revenue earners are aquatic entry (casual swimmers), learn-to-swim and gym memberships — and according to the draft master plan these are the areas under most pressure.

The learn-to-swim program has nearly 1600 children but is constrained by access to water space.

The gym area of 550 m2 is oversubscribed with the current membership base of 2364 using a facility that can cater for 73 to 80 users at any one time.

Community surveys have indicated strong support for improvements to encourage increased use of the facility with the top priorities being improved parking, a cafe´, an indoor heated 50 m pool and more lanes for casual swimming.

The report identifies the need for high revenue/profitable allyear programmable areas to help subsidise the high cost of seasonal outdoor water areas.

The draft Aquamoves master plan sets out a $31.675 million 10-stage redevelopment and expansion of the facility.

Stage 1 — $1.57 million

Demolition of the Raymond West entrance to create additional parking and a new group entrance with facilities for a swimming club office, changerooms and first aid. Stage 2 — $7.243 million

A 25 m x 10 m learn-to-swim pool, toddler pool and plant extension.

Stage 3 — $ 5.165 million

Extended and modernised entry foyer, merchandise and reception. Refurbished cafe and outdoor deck cafe´, office and kitchen/ servery. New leisure water and expanded pool office.

Stage 4 — $213,000

Wellness area car park and delivery slip road.

Stage 5 — $640,000

Wellness area and separate entry.

Stage 6 — $6.092 million

Additional 20 m x 10 m warm water pool, change room village, spas.

Stage 7 — $631,831

Refurbish steam room, sauna room, change village and storeroom.

Stage 8 — $3.994 million

Expanded gym, multipurpose rooms, spin room, offices and 24-hour gym access.

Stage 9 — $ 4.042 million

Water slides and slide tower.

Stage 10 — $2.070 million

Upgrade outdoor splash park, landscape, shade sails, seating and barbecue areas.

Looking at future: The draft Aquamoves master plan sets out a 10-stage redevelopment and expansion. Aquamoves prioritises engaging with its members to avoid gym fees going to waste.

Big costs: Pools are expensive assets for councils to operate and maintain.