The state government has stepped in to hasten development of a stalled multi-million-dollar leisure and aquatic centre project in Ellenbrook.
The state government has stepped in to hasten development of a stalled multi-million-dollar leisure and aquatic centre project in Ellenbrook.
The Ellenbrook Leisure Centre has been in the works for about a decade, with state and federal government initially funding a total of $32 million towards the project.
Despite starting construction, marked by a sod-turning event in September 2020, the development of the Ellenbrook Leisure Centre was stopped in March 2022.
The City of Swan cited rising costs in the construction market and two unsuccessful attempts to secure a contractor through a tender process as reasons for halting work on the project, with $70 million being the city's most recent estimation of the project's construction costs.
The city initiated a review into its Aquatic Facilities Strategy in March, which remains ongoing.
The state government has stepped in with suggestions of its own, with Transport and Planning Minister Rita Saffioti proposing new site locations and a scaled-back design of the facility in December.
A site along Maffina Parade in Ellenbrook had been earmarked for the leisure centre but the government is proposing for the facility to be built at a site closer to the Metronet line.
The City of Swan council voted to include the state’s proposed sites and redesign in its ongoing review of the Aquatic Facilities Strategy at a meeting this month.
Ms Saffioti, who is also the West Swan MP, said the proposed facility was ultimately a local government project.
“The problem is, they’re not delivering it. We’ve given them years to deliver despite a turning of the sod that they had," she said.
“There’s been costs escalation; we understand that but also … I think if they got on with it three years ago, we probably wouldn’t be here discussing it.
“We’re now in a situation where the state will be finishing a rail line before the council deliver a pool.
“I think there’s a bit of frustration out there … the frustration we get through our contact with the community; people want to see the pool built.
“We’re in a bit of situation where the council wasn’t willing to put in more money, or its share, to put the project up.”
The state and federal governments contributed an additional $5 million each during the previous elections, bringing the total government funding to $42 million.
However, the grants would still be a fair way out from the leisure centre's estimated construction cost of $70 million.
The original Ellenbrook Leisure Centre design was estimated to cost $63.5 million but the city updated the figure during a construction procurement process in early 2022, according to the council agenda.
The state government’s proposal comprises a 50-metre pool, a 25-metre pool, small toddler pools, four water slides, a hydrotherapy pools, shade sails, changing rooms, and a barbecue and family facilities.
Meanwhile, the city’s design completed in 2021 featured two lap pools, leisure pool, warm water pool, spa pool, three indoor sports courts, administration spaces, a gym and group fitness rooms, a café with commercial kitchen, and change rooms and wet areas.
The city’s officers said in the council agenda that the city would risk losing the grant allocation if it was to proceed with the original design.
Ms Saffioti said there would not be expiration dates for the state government grant but she wanted the facility to be up and operating in two to three years’ time.
“To be honest, I’m really disappointed the pool isn’t under way yet,” she said.
“From my perspective, for many years, it’s been a priority for the Ellenbrook community.
“Schools are crying out for place for swimming lessons for their kids and for swimming carnivals."
Three out of the 15 councillors wanted an urgent meeting with Ms Saffioti and pushed for the aquatic strategy review to be presented before the May meeting.
“Although there was some urgency behind this, yet here we are again, not showing any urgency,” councillor Aaron Bowman said.
“I don’t want to wait another 11 months for another aquatic strategic review.”
The majority of council instead resolved to present the review findings to a future meeting, without any set times, and to write to Ms Saffioti in a request for more information.
Ms Saffioti also cited the city’s design for the leisure centre continuing to increase in scope as another reason for the delay.
In December, City of Swan Mayor David Lucas announced the project was on hold but said the city remained committed to see Ellenbrook Leisure Centre progress.
“The federal and state governments are providing significant finance for the construction, but the city needs to ensure we deliver the right long-term outcome for the community,” he said.
“Having the opportunity to look at another site for the project will allow the city to see how community facilities can be best located within the townsite to meet the future growth of the Ellenbrook community.”
