Leisure Centre project to cost over $10 million
 Baw Baw News   By // 18:08, Monday 13 April 2015

warragul leisure centre generic shot the warragul citizen by william kulich

BAW Baw Shire councillors have unanimously accepted a tender from Vermont-based building company Behmer & Wright Pty Ltd for the redevelopment of the Warragul Leisure Centre.

First published in the 10 April 2015 edition of the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen. Get your copy today from retailers across Baw Baw.


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The accepted tender for the project, which will include the construction of a new 50m outdoor pool and upgrades to the existing indoor facility, came in at $10,970,125 excluding GST.

The tender approval gives the builders immediate access to part of the site, and access to the rest of the construction area no later than the start of June.

Also authorised in the approval was negotiation between council officers and Behmer & Wright “to develop a fully costed and independently verified price for the additional enclosure of the 50m outdoor pool should council’s funding application under the National Stronger Regions Funding be successful.”

Any proposed variation for the cost of the enclosure would have to be approved by the council.


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The redevelopment saw the closure of aquatic facilities at the leisure centre at the start of the month.

Aquatic facilities are not expected to reopen until 1 July 2016, but other leisure centre activities are operating to altered opening hours.

While the council has maintained it has attempted to find alternative arrangements for pool users, some have taken to social media to vent their frustrations over the closure.

“Very disapointing that no alternative arrangements have been made for my brother who visits the hydro pool with Scope twice a week,” one commenter said in a post on the Baw Baw Shire Council’s Facebook page.

“He is now going to have to go without therapy for 15 months.”

The council responded with: “Our recreation team has made every effort to find alternate venues for each of the groups who use the pool, including Scope.”

“Unfortunately Scope did not believe travelling or other programs would be suitable for their clients. In light of that we are unable to offer another option while the works are taking place.”

The redevelopment will include:


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  • a new warm water pool measuring 9m x 12.5m,
  • a new leisure pool with beach entry and play features, including a mega soaker bucket and animal themed water features,
  • doubling the size of the hot water pool and the addition of a ramp,
  • the refurbishment of the existing 25m pool and addition of a ramp,
  • a new 50m outdoor pool,
  • upgrades to change facilities,
  • roof replacement for the pool hall and stadium, and
  • plant and concourse upgrades.

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One response to “Leisure Centre project to cost over $10 million”

  1. Roger Marks says:

    $10 million for a leisure centre but they can’t find any more money for the HACC which is vital for the elderly and incapacitated. Shows you where their priorities are.