Bexley Swimmingand Leisure Centre Proposal

Council is seeking community support for the redevelopment proposal for the Bexley Pool Site.

This document outlines the proposal based on the Council’s understanding of the needs of the community. Also included are details of the costs and how we will fund improvements of this valuable community facility.

How are We Going to Pay for It?Council proposes to use a number of funding sources to deliver this proposal. A substantial amount of funds will come from Development Contributions, funds Council has received from new development in order to provide new community infrastructure.

The rest will come from a mix of cash reserves, asset sales and grant funding which would be sought from State and Federal Government.

Other Capital Projects: The table below shows the status of our major Capital Projects as outlined in our City Plan:

Bexley Swimming and Leisure Centre

Planning and feasibility has now been completed and the proposal is able to be funded using a variety of funding sources.

Town Hall refurbishment Refurbishment is already underway with rehabilitation works on the external facades and roof, including external lighting, commenced and funded.

Central Library including additional Community Meeting space

Planning and feasibility is currently underway in association with Council appointed architects. Funding was confirmed via Council’s long term financial plan 2011-2025 and will be considered further upon preliminary designs being completed and costed.

Youth Centre at Arncliffe Planning has commenced and funding will be determined once the type and scale of youth centre that is needed is known.

Indoor Recreation Centre at Ador Reserve

Planning has not commenced. Funding will be determined once the type and scale of recreation centre that is needed is known.

Thriving Town Centres for Ramsgate Beach then Arncliffe and Wollongong Roads

Planning and feasibility for Ramsgate Beach has commenced with works anticipated to commence in 2012/13. Funding will be sourced from established Local Area Funds and will be considered further upon preliminary designs being completed and costed.

Detailed information including the Concept Design Drawings and Feasibility Report can be found on Council’s website www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au

and at select locations including Bexley Pool, Council’s Customer Service Counter and Council Libraries

What Currently Exists?The current Bexley Swimming Centre contains an outdoor Olympic Pool (50 metre x 8 lanes), a teaching pool (17 metres) and toddler’s pool. There is some basic gym equipment and facilities for the administration of the pool on the site as well.

Bexley Pool is the only council-owned aquatic facility in the City of Rockdale.

The Current Dilemma The current 50 metre pool at the

Bexley site needs replacement; this is considered both necessary and a priority.

The existing 50 metre outdoor pool was constructed in 1974 on unstable fill material. The pool leaks and filtration equipment contravenes current NSW Health Guidelines.

Council is facing continually increasing cost related to maintenance of the facility.

Council has no alternative other than to redevelop or shut down the existing facilities.

Discussions with our community tell us that a swimming & leisure centre situated at the current Bexley site, comprising new indoor swimming and leisure opportunities whilst retaining the favoured outdoor 50m pool is preferred. The current facilities do not meet the needs and expectations of the community.

Why Upgrade the Swimming Complex? In 2011, when adopting Council’s

City Plan 2011-2025, Council consulted the community, asking the question, “What services are most important to you and which could be improved?” During the process of consultation, Bexley Pool received the most support and the most comments from the community.

Council understands that our Community is seeking better and improved services and facilities for swimming, fitness and leisure activities, particularly in the western part of the City.

This also matches with previous community feedback that shows Bexley Pool is highly regarded by the community.

Additional facilities are needed to meet future demand across the City. Research shows that the proposed Bexley Swimming & Leisure Centre will receive about 541,000 visits per year which is an increase of 411,000 visits per year. The Bexley Swimming Centre in its current form receives about 130,000 visits per year.

In comparison, if Council aimed to achieve the same number of visits for sporting fields this would require Council to develop 13 additional sports fields at an estimated cost of $195 million.

The proposal has been designed to meet the swimming, fitness and leisure needs of residents across the City. It provides a facility which can meet these needs all year round in a combination of indoor and outdoor settings suitable for all seasons. The location is central to the Rockdale Local Government Area.

Although the capital expenditure is substantial, the proposal represents a high level of sustainable value for the City’s community, current ratepayers and future ratepayers based on the demonstrated demand and ratepayer subsidy per visit calculations which will be reduced from $3.02 per visit for the existing Bexley Swimming Centre to $0.79 ratepayer subsidy per visit for the proposed Bexley Swimming and Leisure Centre.

Council’s Proposal: The Bexley Swimming and Leisure Centre Since 2008, Council has considered a range of redevelopment alternatives for the site, which has resulted in Council endorsing the below proposal, subject to community consultation.

The proposal includes:

Replacement of the current 50 metre outdoor pool with a new outdoor 50 metre – 8 lane pool;

A new 8 lane 25 metre lap swimming pool;

A new 20 metre x 12 metre program pool;

A new children’s play/leisure pool;

A spa pool, sauna, steam and plant room;

700m2 of indoor leisure space for fitness, health and well-being uses;

A kiosk, community use space, a crèche; and

Car parking spaces increasing from 106 existing spaces to 214 spaces.

The estimated cost to construct is $26.81 million. It is estimated that the cost to run the centre over a whole of life timeframe of 50 years will be about $427,353 per year including depreciation.

The existing Bexley Swimming Centre currently costs $392,400 per year to operate, including depreciation.

Alternatives Previously Considered by CouncilCouncil looked at a number of alternatives prior to endorsing the proposal. The discarded alternatives and their reasoning are summarised below.

Replace the 50 metre outdoor pool only with a new pool and upgrade the pumps, filters and heating system:

Estimated cost of this alternative is $5 million and is considered both necessary and a priority for any redevelopment of the site.

This alternative does not address the existing facility buildings which do not meet the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act and do not comply with disability requirements in the Building Code of Australia.

This alternative on its own does not adequately address the current and projected demographic demand forecasts in relation to size, projected growth and distribution.

It is likely that this alternative would not create an increase in visitor numbers from the current 130,000 visits per year.

This alternative will continue to cost ratepayers in the order of a $392,400 per annum operating deficit (including depreciation), equating to a subsidy rate of $3.02 per visit.

Construct a smaller leisure and aquatic centre on the same site or elsewhere in the City:

A single location eliminates the reality of two sites competing against each other for patrons.

A single location minimises operating costs in comparison to operating two sites.

Duplication of capital costs will be avoided by having all the facilities in a single location.

A single location frees up other Council owned sites for other purposes.

Best practice in existing successful centres with similar populations to that in Rockdale City have been examined to develop the proposal. A smaller or split facility will contravene these best practices.

A smaller centre will not provide for a full range of programmes, attractions and opportunities which include health club memberships, learn to swim program, squads, school programs, casual lap swimming, leisure swimming, spa, training and therapy, birthday parties and cafe/merchandise.

Do nothing:

When built in 1974, the 50m pool was not uniformly constructed on bedrock, causing distortion and cracking which has resulted in daily water loss of between 5,000 and 40,000 litres.

The existing plant and filtration equipment contravenes current NSW Health Guidelines.

The current facility buildings do not meet the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act and do not comply with the disability requirements of the Building Code of Australia.

Doing nothing is not an option, it will mean closing down Rockdale City’s only pool facility.

What Currently Exists?The current Bexley Swimming Centre contains an outdoor Olympic Pool (50 metre x 8 lanes), a teaching pool (17 metres) and toddler’s pool. There is some basic gym equipment and facilities for the administration of the pool on the site as well.

Bexley Pool is the only council-owned aquatic facility in the City of Rockdale.

The Current Dilemma The current 50 metre pool at the

Bexley site needs replacement; this is considered both necessary and a priority.

The existing 50 metre outdoor pool was constructed in 1974 on unstable fill material. The pool leaks and filtration equipment contravenes current NSW Health Guidelines.

Council is facing continually increasing cost related to maintenance of the facility.

Council has no alternative other than to redevelop or shut down the existing facilities.

Discussions with our community tell us that a swimming & leisure centre situated at the current Bexley site, comprising new indoor swimming and leisure opportunities whilst retaining the favoured outdoor 50m pool is preferred. The current facilities do not meet the needs and expectations of the community.

Why Upgrade the Swimming Complex? In 2011, when adopting Council’s

City Plan 2011-2025, Council consulted the community, asking the question, “What services are most important to you and which could be improved?” During the process of consultation, Bexley Pool received the most support and the most comments from the community.

Council understands that our Community is seeking better and improved services and facilities for swimming, fitness and leisure activities, particularly in the western part of the City.

This also matches with previous community feedback that shows Bexley Pool is highly regarded by the community.

Additional facilities are needed to meet future demand across the City. Research shows that the proposed Bexley Swimming & Leisure Centre will receive about 541,000 visits per year which is an increase of 411,000 visits per year. The Bexley Swimming Centre in its current form receives about 130,000 visits per year.

In comparison, if Council aimed to achieve the same number of visits for sporting fields this would require Council to develop 13 additional sports fields at an estimated cost of $195 million.

The proposal has been designed to meet the swimming, fitness and leisure needs of residents across the City. It provides a facility which can meet these needs all year round in a combination of indoor and outdoor settings suitable for all seasons. The location is central to the Rockdale Local Government Area.

Although the capital expenditure is substantial, the proposal represents a high level of sustainable value for the City’s community, current ratepayers and future ratepayers based on the demonstrated demand and ratepayer subsidy per visit calculations which will be reduced from $3.02 per visit for the existing Bexley Swimming Centre to $0.79 ratepayer subsidy per visit for the proposed Bexley Swimming and Leisure Centre.

Council’s Proposal: The Bexley Swimming and Leisure Centre Since 2008, Council has considered a range of redevelopment alternatives for the site, which has resulted in Council endorsing the below proposal, subject to community consultation.

The proposal includes:

Replacement of the current 50 metre outdoor pool with a new outdoor 50 metre – 8 lane pool;

A new 8 lane 25 metre lap swimming pool;

A new 20 metre x 12 metre program pool;

A new children’s play/leisure pool;

A spa pool, sauna, steam and plant room;

700m2 of indoor leisure space for fitness, health and well-being uses;

A kiosk, community use space, a crèche; and

Car parking spaces increasing from 106 existing spaces to 214 spaces.

The estimated cost to construct is $26.81 million. It is estimated that the cost to run the centre over a whole of life timeframe of 50 years will be about $427,353 per year including depreciation.

The existing Bexley Swimming Centre currently costs $392,400 per year to operate, including depreciation.

Alternatives Previously Considered by CouncilCouncil looked at a number of alternatives prior to endorsing the proposal. The discarded alternatives and their reasoning are summarised below.

Replace the 50 metre outdoor pool only with a new pool and upgrade the pumps, filters and heating system:

Estimated cost of this alternative is $5 million and is considered both necessary and a priority for any redevelopment of the site.

This alternative does not address the existing facility buildings which do not meet the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act and do not comply with disability requirements in the Building Code of Australia.

This alternative on its own does not adequately address the current and projected demographic demand forecasts in relation to size, projected growth and distribution.

It is likely that this alternative would not create an increase in visitor numbers from the current 130,000 visits per year.

This alternative will continue to cost ratepayers in the order of a $392,400 per annum operating deficit (including depreciation), equating to a subsidy rate of $3.02 per visit.

Construct a smaller leisure and aquatic centre on the same site or elsewhere in the City:

A single location eliminates the reality of two sites competing against each other for patrons.

A single location minimises operating costs in comparison to operating two sites.

Duplication of capital costs will be avoided by having all the facilities in a single location.

A single location frees up other Council owned sites for other purposes.

Best practice in existing successful centres with similar populations to that in Rockdale City have been examined to develop the proposal. A smaller or split facility will contravene these best practices.

A smaller centre will not provide for a full range of programmes, attractions and opportunities which include health club memberships, learn to swim program, squads, school programs, casual lap swimming, leisure swimming, spa, training and therapy, birthday parties and cafe/merchandise.

Do nothing:

When built in 1974, the 50m pool was not uniformly constructed on bedrock, causing distortion and cracking which has resulted in daily water loss of between 5,000 and 40,000 litres.

The existing plant and filtration equipment contravenes current NSW Health Guidelines.

The current facility buildings do not meet the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act and do not comply with the disability requirements of the Building Code of Australia.

Doing nothing is not an option, it will mean closing down Rockdale City’s only pool facility.

Bexley Swimmingand Leisure Centre Proposal

Council is seeking community support for the redevelopment proposal for the Bexley Pool Site.

This document outlines the proposal based on the Council’s understanding of the needs of the community. Also included are details of the costs and how we will fund improvements of this valuable community facility.

How are We Going to Pay for It?Council proposes to use a number of funding sources to deliver this proposal. A substantial amount of funds will come from Development Contributions, funds Council has received from new development in order to provide new community infrastructure.

The rest will come from a mix of cash reserves, asset sales and grant funding which would be sought from State and Federal Government.

Other Capital Projects: The table below shows the status of our major Capital Projects as outlined in our City Plan:

Bexley Swimming and Leisure Centre

Planning and feasibility has now been completed and the proposal is able to be funded using a variety of funding sources.

Town Hall refurbishment Refurbishment is already underway with rehabilitation works on the external facades and roof, including external lighting, commenced and funded.

Central Library including additional Community Meeting space

Planning and feasibility is currently underway in association with Council appointed architects. Funding was confirmed via Council’s long term financial plan 2011-2025 and will be considered further upon preliminary designs being completed and costed.

Youth Centre at Arncliffe Planning has commenced and funding will be determined once the type and scale of youth centre that is needed is known.

Indoor Recreation Centre at Ador Reserve

Planning has not commenced. Funding will be determined once the type and scale of recreation centre that is needed is known.

Thriving Town Centres for Ramsgate Beach then Arncliffe and Wollongong Roads

Planning and feasibility for Ramsgate Beach has commenced with works anticipated to commence in 2012/13. Funding will be sourced from established Local Area Funds and will be considered further upon preliminary designs being completed and costed.

Detailed information including the Concept Design Drawings and Feasibility Report can be found on Council’s website www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au

and at select locations including Bexley Pool, Council’s Customer Service Counter and Council Libraries

Bexley Swimmingand Leisure Centre Proposal

Have Your SaY – Feedback Form

Q1 overall, to what extent do you support the bexley Swimming and Leisure centre Proposal?

Totally support the Proposal Somewhat support the Proposal Totally oppose the Proposal

Q2 Which facilities of Proposal would you most likely use? (tick all that apply)

Indoor learn to swim and warm water exercise pool

Indoor children's play pool

Indoor 25 m pool

Outdoor 50 m pool with seating and shade

Fitness, exercise and leisure gymnasium

Spa, Sauna Room and Steam Room

Creche

Community rooms including birthday party room

Kiosk

I am unlikely to use any of the facilities

Q3 How often would you use the Proposed bexley Swimming & Leisure centre?

Daily Two or three times a week Once a week

Once a month or less Not at all

Q4 How often do you visit the current bexley Swimming centre?

Daily Two or three times a week Once a week

Once a month or less Not at all

Q5 do you have any concerns with the proposal?

No

Yes (tick all that apply below)

Size Location Cost

Traffic, parking, patron issues Spend the money on something else

Other (please comment)

Q6 do you have any other comments?

Q7 What is your postcode?

Your Details(if you would like updates on the progress of the Bexley Swimming and Leisure Centre, please provide the following details)

Name

Address

Suburb Post Code

email Phone

www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au

reply Paidif posted in Australia

reply Paid 27rockdale City CouncilBexley Swimming and Leisure CentrePo Box 21rockdale NSW 2216

Please return this feedback by 4:30pm on Friday 2 march 2012

Thank you for your time!

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