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Keith Spry Pool Upgrade to Start On 13 June

NEWS RELEASE
23 May 2013

Keith Spry Pool Upgrade to Start On 13 June

Work on the $6 million upgrade of the Keith Spry Pool in Johnsonville will start on 13 June following the signing of a contract with Hawkins Construction.

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says the start of work is an indication of the Council’s determination to invest in facilities and infrastructure to serve the growing population in the northern suburbs.

And the Council is determined to keep the community fully informed about the project and its impact.

A series of initial briefings will be held to inform immediate neighbours and the local community. Hawkins Construction representatives will be at each of these briefings. Details of the two community briefings follow:

-Wednesday 29 May, 6.30pm at Johnsonville Community Centre

-Thursday 30 May, 6.30pm at Johnsonville Community Centre.

Letter-drops, email updates, community posters and press releases will also be used to provide updates on the project.

The Council’s Sports and Events Portfolio Leader, Councillor John Morrison, and the Community Facilities Portfolio Leader, Justin Lester, both say it is great news that real progress is being made on the pool.

Cr Lester, also a Northern Ward councillor, says work on the pool was unfortunately delayed earlier this year when the Council’s preferred contractor, Mainzeal, was placed in receivership. “However we’re back on track now – and locals will see work get quickly under way.”

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Cr Morrison says the start of work on the pool is expected to be followed later this year by the scheduled start of work on a full-size artificial turf at nearby Alex Moore Park – the sixth such turf to be opened in the city since 2009.”Alex Moore is well-known to sportspeople from all over the region – it’s an accessible ground, close to the mall and close to public transport.”

Northern Ward Councillors Ngaire Best and Helene Ritchie say they are also looking forward to the opening of both the pool and the revamped park.

Cr Ritchie says a decade of advocacy has at last borne fruit. “The additions and refurbishing of Keith Spry Pool will be a significant asset for Johnsonville and the northern and northwestern suburbs. Thanks are owed to many in the community, Council staff and the new contractors.”

Keith Spry Pool – details
The existing pool building, dating from the early 1980s, will be expanded by about 50% in terms of floor area. It will feature:
·       A new 11m x 12m learn-to-swim pool with depths between 750mm and 900mm.
·       A new 11m x 14m play pool for children and infants with depths between 0mm and 700mm.
·       A striking glass and steel building extension, designed by Architecture HDT, which will house both new pools.
·       New changing rooms, cantilevered over the car park to the south of the pool
·       A new steel roof to replace the existing asbestos roof on the main pool building.

Construction and effects on the neighbourhood
Keith Spry upgrade Project Manager Jim Warwick says the upgrade will have some impact on the surrounding area – especially in the initial stages when some 600 truck movements will be required to remove spoil from excavations for the two new pools.

Truck and construction access to the site will be via part of the adjoining Children’s Memorial Park on the corner of Dr Taylor Terrace and Frankmoore Avenue. Jim says about half of the park will have to be fenced-off to allow safe access and removal of materials. The park’s play equipment will be shifted so it can continue to be used while work is under way.

The park will be reinstated when construction is completed.

A traffic management plan has been drawn up. It will acknowledge the high use and narrowness of the adjoining streets and the number of school children in the area.

Some car parks on Frankmoore Avenue and Dr Taylor Terrace may have to be removed temporarily to make truck movements easier and safer.

The existing pool will remain open for as long as possible during the upgrade – prior to the replacement of the roof – however Jim Warwick acknowledges there will be increased noise and disruption at times for pool users

ENDS

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