WHERE CAN I SWIM AND EXERCISE WHILE WAVES IS CLOSED?
You may like to make enquiries specific to your activity type with neighbouring Council’s aquatic & leisure centres.
Where Can I Swim & Exercise While Waves is Closed Map(PDF, 636KB)
WHY IS COUNCIL NOT BUILDING ANOTHER AQUATIC CENTRE FIRST BEFORE CLOSING DOWN WAVES?
Planning to meet the needs and aspirations of the Hills Shire community involves consideration of current and future recreation and leisure needs. This includes both new and existing facilities.
Community aquatic facilities play an important role in providing residents social, recreational and sporting opportunities. While there is community interest in a future second aquatic facility, we must first assess and address the existing offering at Waves.
Opened in 1967, the facility is ageing and requires renewal which cannot wait. With modern upgrades and design improvements the future use and experience of Waves will be enhanced.
WILL THE DESIGN INCLUDE SOLAR AND SMART ENERGY TECHNOLOGY?
Yes, the plan is to incorporate energy efficient systems, sustainable materials, and smart energy features into the design and operation of the new facility.
WHO WILL OPERATE THE FACILITY WHEN IT RE-OPENS?
Waves will remain a community asset. Before the new Centre opens, Council will assess and consider the best management option for the operation of the facility.
WILL THE ROSE GARDEN BE IMPACTED?
The construction of the new Waves Aquatic Centre will have a minor impact on the Roxborough Park Rose Garden however Council is committed to retaining and improving the garden. Council has budgeted $300,000 for upgrades to the Rose Garden, and this is expected to begin within the next 12 months.
- As part of the aquatic centre upgrade, Council needs to manage the overland flow of water in the Roxborough Park site as an identified floodway sits within it.
- Council has worked hard to minimise the impact to the rose garden where it borders the aquatic centre, however a small section will be impacted. This area will be reprofiled, resulting in the removal of the existing garden beds along the pool boundary edge. These white 'iceberg' roses will be transplanted into the gardens at Cropley House.
- Some garden beds at the north-east end of the site are impacted and varieties of these roses will be transplanted within the garden.
Waves Upgrade Map - Roxborough Park Rose Garden Changes(PDF, 418KB)
WILL GREEN SPACE AND TREES BE RETAINED WITHIN THE REDEVELOPMENT?
Yes, green space and trees are an important part of Waves. Many of the Palm Trees will be removed and put back.
WILL THERE BE A HYDROTHERAPY POOL?
The design needs to consider an overall aquatic centre offer – one that is the most suitable for the diverse range of user groups. At this stage a warm water pool, suitable for hydrotherapy activity, has been included. We are also planning for a separate Spa and Sauna space.
WILL THERE BE A CAFE?
Yes. A new cafe facility is planned, and is intended to have three access points – from the foyer, from the pool side, and from outside the front – providing different spaces to sit and enjoy the facility.
WILL LOCKERS BE AVAILABLE?
Yes. The exact number, type, and location of lockers is being determined as part of the detailed design.
WILL THERE BE A DEDICATED SPACE FOR LANE/LAP SWIMMERS WITH THE NEW POOL?
The plan is to provide additional water space over what is currently available. The current 50m pool, for instance, has 8 lanes, and the new 50m pool will have 10 lanes.
WILL THERE BE MORE PARKING?
The Masterplan provides for additional off-street and undercover parking within the site.
HOW WILL THIS REDEVELOPMENT BE PAID FOR?
Council committed to a $55 million Masterplan for Waves and is now seeking support from State and Federal funding partnerships to bring the entire project to fruition. The aim is to ensure that this public asset achieves the right balance between community needs and value. For more information, read the media release here.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH THE UPGRADE OF THE FACILITY?
Consultation with the users of Waves, and with the broader community, is an essential part of the project development. During the project journey, Council will share key milestones and developments on its website. You can keep in touch via our social media platforms, and if you have a query that has not been answered, you can contact us via this online form.
Council also has a community engagement e-newsletter which sends monthly updates on major projects happening across The Hills Shire, including the Waves Aquatic Centre Upgrade. To subscribe to the Hills Have Your Say e-newsletter, click here.
WHEN WILL THE NEW AQUATIC CENTRE REOPEN?
We have always allowed approx. 18 - 24 months for this project, however, we will not have a clear estimated opening date until the construction contract has been agreed, awarded, and signed.
We aim to complete this project and open it to the community as soon as possible.