Perth private school’s multimillion-dollar upgrade to pool at ‘end of its useful life’

6 hours ago 2

A prestigious Perth private school has revealed plans for a multimillion-dollar water sports facility, complete with lap lanes and a water polo pool, that is “commensurate with the expectations of the community”.

Wesley College has submitted plans for a $12.1 million revamp of its 60-year-old swimming pool – which the school says is at the “end of its useful life” – to the Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel.

The panel will consider the application on Thursday, but the plans already have support from the City of South Perth and the Heritage Council, subject to conditions.

The development would include removing the school’s current facility, installing a 50-metre lap pool and a 31-metre water polo pool, a new plant control room, tiered seating, associated excavation and retaining walls, the replacement of existing lighting and shade sails, and landscaping and paved walkways.

“Wesley College has been privately operating a swimming pool in the same location since approximately 1962 and has not only provided the facility to their students but also to external visitors, such as the Watkins Southside Swimming School,” a letter from urban planners Rowe Group stated.

“The existing swimming pool is at the end of its useful life and due to funding becoming available, the college now seeks to provide a swimming facility of a standard commensurate with the expectations of its community.

“This proposal will not intensify the existing use of the facilities in this location and will simply cater to existing demands.”

The school’s Blanckensee Physical Education Centre, located next to the swimming pool, also closed on June 30, and will be upgraded to the tune of $32 million to transform it into a “high-performance centre”.

School head of college Ross Barron said the proposed replacement of the current 60-year-old pool would align with works already approved which began earlier in the year to mark Wesley’s centenary.

“The works now under way are part of a two-phase project with the first phase, expected to be completed in the second half of next year, involving the construction of four multi-sports courts, additional classrooms, change rooms and a function centre,” he said.

“The second phase will see renovations to the historic Blanckensee Physical Education Centre converting the current gymnasium into an athletic development area focused on high-performance training.

“Works on this second phase will begin later this year and are expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete.”

Barron said the new development would address the college’s current lack of an undercover area of sufficient size to stage major events like full-school assemblies with parents and students present.

“Ultimately all these projects are about doing everything we can to foster the enjoyment of sport and recreation for all our students, understanding it is crucial to achieving better outcomes in both physical and mental health,” he said.

“The broader community, many of whom access our gymnasium facilities and pool will also benefit, adding further recreational options for people in the City of South Perth.”

Barron said with planning and approval process for the pool facility still ongoing, he could not comment on a timeframe for the project.

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