Casey Council in leisure award prize pool

A HIGHLY commended award in the Parks and Leisure Australia National Awards for Excellence has been presented to City of Casey in recognition for its excellence in water conservation and management at two sport and leisure facilities.
After receiving the Victorian Award in September, the City of Casey won the national award in recognition of Casey Fields and the Cranbourne Aquatic and Leisure Centre (CALC), both located in Cranbourne East.
“We are extremely delighted that we were highly commended in the category of Program, Project, and Practice Award for water conservation and management,” City of Casey Chief Executive Officer Mike Tyler said.
“Casey is proud to be pioneering one of local government’s most exciting and challenging projects by building Australia’s first drought-proof sport and leisure precinct.”
The $37 million CALC, which is expected to open in mid-2009, has been designed to save approximately 26 million litres of drinking water each year through rainwater harvesting, backwash water re-use, efficient water filtration systems and water-saving showers, Mr Tyler said.
CALC also has double-glazing, slab-edge insulation, solar heating and natural lighting.
Casey Fields also has a focus on water-sensitive urban design and sustainable water use principles, Mr Tyler said.
Sports Grounds and pavilions at Casey Fields have been using recycled water, which is captured, treated and retained on site, while Class A recycled water is pumped from the South Eastern Treatment Plant for irrigation.
Mr Tyler said these projects are becoming a showcase for cutting-edge water-saving technology.
“We are extremely proud that these innovative projects and our efforts to conserve water are being recognised,” he said.