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Why is this project happening?
Leisure is one of the key services we provide to those who live, work and play in our community.
With a growing population comes an increased demand for facilities to serve the community - a fact that Ellenbrook residents know all too well given the significant travel time they face to get to the closest indoor recreation centre or aquatic facility.
Building an indoor centre is a high priority project within the City’s Ellenbrook Public Open Space and Community Facilities Strategy, and has been a key advocacy priority for Council for many years.
We are delighted to be delivering on this key commitment. This exciting project is an investment in the future of Ellenbrook and gives residents the opportunity to lead healthier lives and enjoy the benefits of physical and social activity.
Once completed, the centre will have wide-ranging benefits for children, adults and elderly living in the City of Swan, and extended to areas such as Chittering, Toodyay and Bullsbrook.
What is the timeline for the project?
At this stage, you can expect to walk through the doors of your new indoor recreation and aquatic centre by July 2023.
Construction is anticipated to commence in January 2022. We know many of you have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of an indoor centre, however a project of this complexity and size does takes time to develop, build and complete.
If you have driven or walked along Cashman Avenue recently, you would have seen work happening on-site. Forward works, bulk earthworks, excavation and site clearing began in September 2020 to prepare the 2-hectare site for construction.
We will continue to keep you updated with the progress of construction on this project page.
Where will the recreation and aquatic centre be located?
The indoor centre will be co-located with the Ellenbrook District Open Space (EDOS) on Cashman Avenue in Ellenbrook.
A number of potential sites were identified, and the opportunities and constraints for each site were investigated, during the feasibility stage.
Taking these options into consideration, Council confirmed EDOS as the preferred and most suitable site for the indoor recreation and aquatic centre.
The future centre will complement the nearby outdoor sports fields, the facilities within the Ellenbrook Sports Hub and other local sporting clubs close by.
What facilities will be at the centre?
The new indoor centre will integrate aquatic, sport, health, wellbeing and community elements under one roof. Not only will this new centre be your local gym and swimming pool, it will be a social hub where physical activity and lifestyle experiences meet.
People and groups of all ages and abilities will be able to access and use the following facilities:
- indoor 25m lane lap pool and leisure pool,
- warm water pool,
- spa, sauna and steam facilities,
- indoor multi-purpose sports courts,
- gym / health club,
- group fitness rooms,
- cafe,
- creche,
- changing places and family change areas, and
- car parking.
Why not a 50-metre pool?
During the early planning for this project, we identified that any future indoor recreation and aquatic centre would need to:
- be a multi-faceted and multi-use facility,
- integrate a large number of leisure, sporting and recreation facilities and services in a single centre,
- cater to people and groups of all ages and abilities, and
- meet the immediate and long-term community needs while developing a financially sustainable facility.
Taking those factors into consideration, as well as many other variables and constraints, we identified that a 25-metre lap lane pool would best serve our community and allow us to collectively meet the diverse needs of our community.
This decision is supported by the City’s Aquatic Facilities Strategy.
Further population growth may trigger long-term planning for future development. However, at this stage you can expect a 25-metre lap lane pool in addition to other important community facilities.
Will there be parking?
Yes - the new indoor centre will have 260 car bays for visitors and users. There is also additional street parking in the surrounding area.
Who designed the indoor recreation and aquatic centre?
We commissioned architectural firm Christou Design Group to design the new indoor centre in Ellenbrook. This is the same group who designed the Scarborough Pool in 2017.
Who will manage the recreation and aquatic centre?
Our leisure services, known as Swan Active, currently manages centres in Midland, Beechboro and Ballajura. The Swan Active name signifies our commitment to creating a more active City of Swan – both physically and socially.
The Ellenbrook recreation and aquatic centre will join the Swan Active brand when the centre opens in 2023.
More information about career opportunities, memberships, swimming lessons, sports programs and more will be made available closer to completion of the project.
Will the recreation and aquatic centre increase my rates?
No - the new recreation and aquatic centre will not result in an increase in rates.
The multimillion-dollar project is jointly-funded by the federal and state governments and the City of Swan. The Federal Government has contributed $25 million towards the project, and the State Government has contributed $7 million for planning and construction works.
While the centre will have ongoing operational costs, the vision was to build a multi-purpose facility that was economically efficient and financially viable.
Where can I find updates about the project?
The best place to find information about the Ellenbrook recreation and aquatic centre is right here!
You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to this project page. You will be automatically notified via email when there is an update.
You can also follow the City of Swan on Facebook and Instagram for updates about this project, as well as the many other projects and services provided by the City.