RMP and Associates were engaged by Auburn Council to develop and Business case for the redevelopment of the Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre in 2014. The Business case as to confirm the viability of the redeveloped pool and to demonstrate in a design brief how the priorities f the users and the needs of the community could be incorporated in an affordable project. RMP retained an architect to develop Concept Plans that demonstrated how the centre could be redeveloped within Council’s budget and provide new outdoor and indoor pools and a range of programs for a multi-cultural community.
The facilities at the Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre (REAC) located in Wyatt Park, Church Street, Lidcombe were more than fifty years old and previous investigations identified that the existing pools were severely degraded and did not meet industry standards or current community need. AThe Concept Design based on RMP’s Business Case was presented to Council. Prior to RMP being appointed Council had had numerous schemes presented and were unable to support any of the proposals. The Concept Plans showed a new centre which delivered a vibrant and welcoming community facility This Concept Plan and Business case was developed and accepted by Council in April 2014.
The redevelopment works involved the demolition of the existing facility excluding heritage significant buildings and the grandstand and include the provision of:
- Relocated outdoor 50m Olympic pool with an integrated 25m x 33m international standard water polo pool suitable for short course training and swimming as well as water polo.
- Outdoor interactive waterplay shaded Splash Pad with soft-fall surface
- Indoor family leisure pool
- Indoor 25m pool
- Indoor smaller pool for special programs heated to 33ºC and able to be screened or privacy.
(all pools included disabled access and are heated)
The Concept Design retained the existing grandstand and clubroom but required upgrade of these areas and the demolition of the outdoor diving pool and indoor 25m pool and structures. The extent of works also included:
- All mechanical, heating and lighting systems
- Upgraded ancillary facilities such as reception area, management office, change rooms and toilet facilities, kiosk/cafe, covered grandstand and clubroom
- Retention of existing lighting tower, grandstand, two storey swim club rooms, gravity filter tanks, two storey managers residence, old entry and kiosk and most perimeter fencing/walls
Architects and consultants were appointed to complete the detailed development of concept design, preparation of development application, preparation of tender documents for demolition, partial design and construction and completion of design and provision of construction services as part of the project construction team.
Council prepared a Management Agreement and tendered the management of the Aquatic Centre. The tender was won by Belgravia Leisure.
RMP were aware that the previous pool had to close on a number of evenings at 6.00pm to enable women who were of the Muslim faith to enter the pool and swim. To meet the religious requirement all male staff had to leave and female lifeguards and instructors were employed The separate indoor program pool with access to female change rooms enabled a curtain to be used to screen the pool and female only classes could be scheduled at any time. With over 70% of the population of Muslim background the flexibility of being able to offer classes and relaxation in the warm water pool to women without having to close the pool to the public was a key outcome. The pool is segregated for around 7 hours per week and the rest of the time the pool operates as a program and relaxation pool with learn-to-swim and gentle exercise classes being available to all ages and nationalities.