Community feedback will play a pivotal role in the essential redevelopment of the Lavington Swim Centre.
AlburyCity councillors on Monday night endorsed a decision to place four concept designs for the aging facility on public exhibition for 28 days.
The community is encouraged to review the designs in detail on council’s Engaging Albury website and have their say.
Mayor Kevin Mack said the redeveloped facility must address the need for modern, accessible and multi-functional aquatic facilities, which the community can access year-round.
“The Lavington Swim Centre has been a local favourite since 1967, but its pools have aged and must be replaced to ensure our community can continue to enjoy them for years to come.
“AlburyCity undertook community consultation in 2024, when community members were invited to tell us how they utilise the swim centre and what they’d like to see in a revamped facility. This input has influenced these concept designs, developed by Architectural and Design practice Canvas Projects,” Mayor Mack said.
The four concept masterplan designs range from $31.4M - $50.8M depending on the scope of works.
The Stage 1 base design starts at $31.4M and includes a 6-lane 50m main pool, a second 25m utility pool, a new pool building with administration, kiosk, change rooms and amenities, and a multi-purpose social room, replacing the existing Lavington Swim Centre facilities.
This building would also include a ‘Changing Place’, a specialised type of public bathroom designed for people with disability who require extra space and equipment to manage their personal care needs.
Disability access would also be improved and a toddler pool and splash pad, encouraging interactive waterplay, created.
The existing swim centre building would be largely retained, with minor modification to support its use as a staging area for carnivals, events and equipment storage.
The Stage 1 concept also includes a series of shaded arbour structures to surround the perimeter of the centre and run alongside the pools, complementing the existing mature tree canopies, with shaded seating, BBQ and picnic tables.
The Engaging Albury website also showcases concept Stages 2, 3 and 4, with the community encouraged to consider the inclusion of additional features, above and beyond the Stage 1 design, will raise the total project cost.
Specifically, these additions include:
- Concept Stage 2 ($35.9M): Increases the number of lanes in the 50m main pool from six to 10.
- Concept Stage 3 ($45.1M): Includes the larger 10-lane 50m main pool, plus the addition of a dedicated 35m long and 25m wide (2.0m uniform depth) water polo pool. Construction of this pool will require the removal of significant existing trees in this area.
- Concept Stage 4 ($50.8M): Includes both the 10-lane 50m main pool and the dedicated 35m water polo pool, plus a multi-sports pavilion to the eastern edge of the swim centre.
The redevelopment will be subject to the allocation of available funding.
“The concept designs offer opportunities for fitness, organised sport, recreation, remedial use and disability access, catering for a wide range of users in our community.
“We want to hear from our community to make sure we’ve heard you correctly and the new designs meet your needs,” Mayor Mack said.
You can have your say on AlburyCity’s Engaging Albury website until 9 April 2025.
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