TORONTO Swim Centre will close for an estimated 12 months from next Saturday as Lake Macquarie City Council carries out a $6-million renovation of the facility.
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Council said the makeover would bring the centre into line with community expectations.
The job will include retiling of all pools, the creation of a combined hydrotherapy and spa pool, the refurbishment of amenities, and vastly improved air and water quality.
The council has released an animated fly-through video to show what the centre might look like when the transformation is completed.
Mayor Kay Fraser said the project would provide a much better user experience, with modern facilities for all ages and abilities.
“These will include new family change rooms and accessible lifts to all pools,” Cr Fraser said.
“We will also be replacing the centre’s filtration and disinfection systems, and its roof, with new solar panels and roof insulation.”
It’s part of a multi-million dollar commitment by the council to lifestyle and recreation facilities across the city in its budget for 2018-19.
Council’s community assets section manager Brendan Callander said the project would require the closure of the centre for an estimated 12 months from Saturday, July 7.
“This is unfortunate but unavoidable, due to the scope and nature of the work,” Mr Callander said.
Council owns Toronto Swim Centre but the site is operated by contractors First Splashes.
First Splashes and Macquarie Shores Swim Club, based at the centre, have been consulted throughout the project’s planning phase, council said.
Last November, the swimming club celebrated its 20th anniversary with a function at Toronto Diggers.
Head coach Ben Jenkinson said the club’s founding president was the late Bob Milton who, in 1997, was a major shareholder in the private venture that built Toronto Swim Centre.
Lake Macquarie City Council later purchased the pool.
“Bob maintained an interest in the facility and the club right up until his passing in July [last] year,” Mr Jenkinson said.
Today, the club boasts 21 junior (under-8) and 65 senior (8 and older) swimmers.
The existing site includes a 25m heated pool, a 16m heated learn-to-swim pool, hydrotherapy pool, spa pool, kiosk and change rooms.
“This refurbishment forms part of our proactive approach to managing an ageing portfolio of aquatic facilities across Lake Macquarie,” Mr Callander said.
“It will have fantastic benefits in terms of updated and attractive facilities, which we anticipate will increase patronage once the centre reopens next year.”
Other improvements included in the revamp include a new entry and kiosk, a new training room, pool resurfacing, and new stairs to the 25m pool.
The closest alternative council-run swim centres are at West Wallsend and Charlestown, and at Morisset and Speers Point, during the warmer months.
