A major upgrade of Casey ARC is set to begin within months after the project was endorsed at the Casey Council meeting on Tuesday 1 September.
The project will include a total roof replacement, upgrading the solar panels and building a wall between the aquatics pool hall and entrance areas to enable 24-7 gym access to the Health Club in the future.
The roof replacement is critical maintenance work that must occur as part of the lifecycle of the building.
Initially scheduled for the 2021/22 Budget, the $3.47 million project was brought forward to take advantage of the enforced closure of the facility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will decrease disruption for users in the future once public health restrictions are lifted and community facilities are able to return to full capacity.
The existing 44Kw solar panel system will be upgraded to a 350Kw output, to operate the facilities plant and help reduce the carbon footprint.
Following an audit of Casey ARC in 2019, Council was advised that the corrosive chlorinated environment had resulted in considerable degradation of the roof materials and structure, and that a total roof replacement would be necessary within the next 12-18 months.
Casey Council’s chair of administrators Noelene Duff said while there was never a good time to close community facilities, completing this work now when the pool was already shut would ultimately be less disruptive to the community and eliminate the need for prolonged closures down the track.
“While the current closure of community facilities is beyond our control, it does present an opportunity to get a good start on this project and avoid having to close the facility again next year to undertake this necessary work,” Ms Duff said.
“Once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, members and casual users will also have the option to use Council’s other leisure facilities including Casey RACE located in Cranbourne, Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre and Doveton Pool in the Park until Casey ARC reopens.”
The project will now go out to tender with work scheduled to begin as soon as possible. The project is expected to take an estimated 12-16 weeks to complete and the entire facility will need to remain closed during that period for safety.
YMCA, who operate the facility on Council’s behalf, will contact members and user groups directly to discuss membership options.
