Rec Centre Refurb

The Margaret River Recreation Centre refurbishment is progressing swiftly as the roof, ceilings, internal windows, pool floor and pool deck are in the final throes of completion.

The external cladding is slated to start in the coming weeks, and the internal fixtures and fittings are on the way.

Much of the recent work has been vital structural upgrades which will have a significant positive impact on the ongoing operational and maintenance costs of the centre. The new flatter, lower roof and suspended ceiling will be cheaper to maintain due to the smaller volume of air to condition and improved moisture control. The new design will also improve the acoustics around the pool area.

Although we would like to pin down an exact opening date for everyone to look forward to, the final date will depend on trade availability in the coming weeks and final signoffs provided by other government regulatory authorities.

We really appreciate everyone’s patience. We’re all missing the pool and other spaces, but we are heading into the final stages and the wait will be worth it!

We’ll have great equipment, new interiors, as well as significantly improved accessibility so everyone in the community can enjoy the facilities.

Construction works for the Margaret River Recreation Centre will continue into the second half of the year, ahead of opening the new and improved facility in late 2023.

Next month, main project contractor BYTE Construct will focus on installing the remaining structures and roof cover over the children’s lagoon and new standalone café, followed by cladding of the exterior walls.

Chris Yates, the Shire’s Manager of Waste and Major Projects, commended BYTE’s locally based team for keeping the refurbishment works on track throughout the wetter months.

“Hats off to the construction crew for installing most of the primary structural steel and completing the main roof covering and water proofing of the adjacent existing structures before the rains arrived in May,” Chris said.

“Because of their efforts the first fix electrical and plumbing works are now being completed, and intermediate steel structural works are being installed.

“It’s terrific to see construction progress despite finding further deterioration to the existing pool shell during demolition earlier in the year. The pool shell had reached the end of its useable life and has now been replaced due to the nature of the concealed damage.

“The remediation works have been accounted for within the project’s contingency budget and the new shell will ensure structural integrity, serving our aquatic users well into the future.

“We’re excited to see the project come to life – Margaret River will have an improved centre which will provide enhanced community facilities for a range of sports. It will be more accessible for key user groups including young families and those with mobility restrictions."

A planned opening for the refurbished centre is anticipated for December 2023.

Demolition works on the Margaret River Recreation Centre will continue into the new year as contractors continue dismantling the much-loved community facility as part of the major 12-month refurbishment project.

Unfortunately, further deterioration of the pool shell has been identified as the demolition has progressed. It was not possible to determine these internal structure issues at the initial project development stage due to the nature of the concealed damage.

The Shire is working closely with contractors, BYTE Construct, and consultants to determine the best way to address the issues uncovered. The Rec Centre Refurb’s project contingency budget covers the additional costs projected for new works required, and the management team is confident that project will stay on track as significant works continue.

When the centre reopens the Shire will be able to offer a number of new improvements for centre users to enjoy, including:

• New simplified skillion roof
• New café space with outdoor play area and timber-look deck
• Refurbished changerooms, new toilets, seating spaces and public art
• Key additional accessibility improvements, including new accessible ramps
• Environmentally sensitive, low maintenance and durable design

Stay up to date with project developments via the Rec Centre Refurb YourSay page.

Big things are happening at the Margaret River Recreation Centre this week as demolition and dismantling works commence on the major refurbishment project.

BYTE Construct has begun removing the roof structure covering the aquatics hall, and main services are now disconnected with most of the internal ceilings and electricals also removed.

Major demolition works will continue with the arrival of a crane on-site over the next few weeks. The site remains off limits to the public and should not be accessed while construction and demolition is underway.

With the annual Agricultural Show held at Gloucester Park this weekend, community members should not attempt to park or walk through the construction compound to ensure public health and safety. Temporary access has been provided where pedestrians and path users can circulate around the site.

On-site parking during the show is available at the Western Oval Precinct but with large crowds expected show-goers are encouraged to walk, ride or carpool to and from the event.

Due to restricted access during the show, the Rec Centre Gym and Group Fitness hours have been modified and will be closed from 1pm on Friday 4 November, reopening on Sunday 6 November. Indoor courts will also be unavailable while the Exhibition Hall is occupied during this time.

Fencing is now up to secure the site for the Contractor, BYTE Construct outside the Margaret River Recreation Centre, enabling them to commence works on the refurbishment.

Rec Centre users are encouraged to use the parking lots at the rear of the building, in Gloucester Park. Visitors and court sports users are asked to enter from the back of the building, through the white double external doors at the rear of court 1. An interim front counter has been set up at the entrance.

BYTE Construct has taken over the site as of Monday, 12 September to begin mobilising the site for construction. Initial stages of demolition have commenced including the removal of non-structural items and the internal structure.

The Shire undertook a public open tender process to appoint BYTE Construct for the provision of demolition and construction services for the Refurbishment. Through a competitive publicly advertised tender process, several submissions were received and evaluated in accordance with some qualitative criteria on the best value for money basis.

The Recreation Centre staff have been busy moving the gym and group fitness facilities onto court 3, these are now set up for public use.

9 September 2022

Visitors and court sports users are asked to access the Margaret River Recreation Centre (Rec Centre) building through the white double external doors at the rear of court 1. An interim front counter has been set up at the interim entrance. Parking is available behind the Recreation Centre in Gloucester Park.

Over the past two weeks a temporary gym and group fitness area has been set up for public use on court 3 at the rear of the building. Alternative change room facilities are also available. The original Rec Centre entrance is now closed, with visitors encouraged to enter from the back of the building.

Over the past few weeks the Rec Centre team has also demobilised the pool area, with floor lining and other equipment removed. Site fencing will go up around the Rec Centre building on Monday, 12 September to allow contractors, BYTE Construct to begin mobilising the site for construction.

Sport and Community Recreation Manager Dylan Brown thanked members and the community for their patience.

“Our team and contractors have been working hard over the last two weeks to make sure the re-location of our gym, group fitness area and facilities are now set up for the community on court 3,” he said.

“Since the new temporary gym and group fitness area opened on Monday, we’ve had some really positive feedback from members.”

BYTE construction was the successful tenderer for the significant project. The contractor was selected for its experience with delivering facilities of this scale and its demonstrated commitment to engaging local companies in the construction process.

19 August 2022

As the Shire of Augusta Margaret River prepares for works to commence on the refurbishment of the much-loved Margaret River Recreation Centre, users of the centre are asked to take note of several changes starting from Monday 22 August.

All Margaret River Recreation Centre members will be communicated with directly about how these changes affect their memberships including automatic discounts and extensions.

Monday 22 August – Sunday 4 September

• Creche and OSHC

Those with children attending creche or Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC) are asked to please park and enter from the front of the building, directly through the double doors into Kids Club. The main doors into the Recreation Centre will be closed.

• Gym

The gym will be closed from Monday 22 August to Sunday 4 September while health and fitness equipment is relocated and internal building works take place.

• Group Fitness and Court Sports

Group fitness and court sports users are asked to please park at the back of the Recreation Centre and enter the building through the white double external doors (rear of court 1). Change rooms will remain accessible during this time.

A modified group fitness timetable will be in effect from Monday 22 August to Sunday 4 September for classes in the Group Fitness room. Stay tuned to the Margaret River Recreation Centre’s website and Facebook page for details.

• Customer Service

The front foyer and gym will not be accessible. Please enter through the rear of the Recreation Centre, or through Kids Club for creche and OSHC.

The Recreation Centre’s customer service team will be working from a relocated front counter, at the temporary entrance through Court 1. Kiosk items will remain the same, except for hot chips which won’t be available.

Monday 5 September Onwards

• Creche and OSHC

Creche will be relocated to the nearby Scout Hall and OSHC will be relocated to the Margaret River Primary School for the remainder of the Recreation Centre refurbishment. Families who have children registered or enrolled will be directly provided with further information.

• Gym and Group Fitness

All entrants to the Recreation Centre are asked to please park and enter through the back of the building. The relocated, temporary gym and group fitness classes will be available for users on Court 3 (the group fitness room will be closed).

• Customer Service and Court Sports

Visitors and court sports users are asked to enter the building through the white double external doors at the rear of court 1, where the front counter will be.

Manager of Community, Sport and Recreation Dylan Brown thanked gym users for their understanding of the two-week gym closure and said he was pleased to facilitate continued services for creche, OSHC, group fitness and court sports. Mr Brown assured users of the centre they would be informed of any changes to the schedule that may occur.

“We’re right at the starting line of this exciting project to refurbish the Recreation Centre’s pool, gym and foyer areas for the years to come,” he said.

“As with any large project, there will be inevitable hurdles along the way, but we are committed to making it as smooth as possible for the community.”

To find out more about the Recreation Centre refurbishment, contact Manager of Major Projects Chris Yates on 08 9780 5272 or email cyates@amrshire.wa.gov.au

20 July 2022

The Shire has secured funding for the construction of a certified ‘Changing Places’ accessible change facility as part of the refurbishment to the Margaret River Recreation Centre’s pool, cafe and gym areas.

Supported by the Department of Communities Office of Disability, the grant represents a significant investment of $170,000 for the accessible facility, under the expanding network of Changing Places program.

The facility, designed by consulting architects Gresley Abas, will be the first of its kind in the Margaret River region, with the closest facilities currently located in Bunbury, Collie, Katanning and Albany.

Once completed, it will provide visitors with high support needs, access to a public change facility and the chance to be included in swim and recreation activities which may not otherwise have been easy or even possible.

The Changing Places facility inside the Margaret River Recreation Centre has been advocated for by the Shire’s Community Access and Inclusion Reference Group (CAIRG) and will include an accessible toilet, shower, wash basin, privacy screen and an adult change table with a roof mounted hoist.

The facility will be available for use during Recreation Centre opening hours and is expected to be ready once the Recreation Centre refurbishment is complete. Any member of the community or visitor to the area, will be more than welcome to take advantage of it.

Following its construction, the facility will be independently certified to meet the Changing Places standards for accessible adult change facilities and will be placed on the National Public Toilet Map and the Changing Places location register.

To find out more about the planned Changing Places facility, contact Manager of Major Projects Chris Yates on 08 9780 5272 or email cyates@amrshire.wa.gov.au

Read more about Changing Places.

21 April 2022

Margaret River’s well-loved Recreation Centre is set for a major renovation in the second half of this year, spurred by the need to address the severe structural deterioration of its pool roof.

A new simplified skillion roof will span the entire length of the existing building, sparking an opportunity to redesign and update parts of the facility and improve its energy efficiency.

The ‘Rec Centre Refurb’ project will deliver a quality, durable and low maintenance building at the minimum cost possible.

Shire of Augusta Margaret River Chief Executive Officer, Stephanie Addison-Brown said the urgent need to replace the centre’s roof structure presented an opportunity to transform it into a modern, health and wellness community facility.

“Since the pool opened in 1998, the aquatic facilities and other parts of the Recreation Centre have been exposed to damp and chemically-laden moisture from the pool interior.

“Coupled with the exterior roof enduring a battering from 23 howling South West winters, the roof has deteriorated rapidly in the last two years meaning replacement now is essential,” she said.

The project is expected to cost approximately $8m, with a large proportion of the expense expected to cover structural reconstruction work.

The project will deliver a new café space at the facility entrance, with an adjacent outdoor play space for families to enjoy, surrounded by a timber-look deck.

Refurbished changerooms, new toilets, seating spaces, and public art will reinvent the facility’s feel, delivering a contemporary and functional centre that serves community members well into the future.

Key additional accessibility improvements include new accessible ramps at the centre’s entrance and reconstruction of the existing accessible toilets to current standards.

During works the pool will be closed, however the gym and group fitness will continue to operate on one of the centre’s indoor courts. The netball and basketball seasons as well as roller derby and badminton will be able to continue throughout the redevelopment on the other 2 courts, with access to all activities from the Gloucester Park car park.

Childcare services will relocate to the Scout Hall at the Youth Precinct.

The pool closed in the July 2022 school holidays, allowing construction to begin in August 2022. Works are expected to take approximately 12 months due to the current market conditions for construction works.

Mrs Addison-Brown recognised the impact works would have on the Recreation Centre’s users.

“Whilst we understand news of the refurbishment will be bitter-sweet because our pool has to close, we hope the community will be excited about what’s to come after the works are done.

“We have been working with sporting groups, clubs, schools and swimming lesson providers to discuss how to best support the continuation of sporting activities during construction wherever possible.

“Current members have all been sent information about the renovation and options for their memberships.”