| 21 May 2012 |
Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam today released draft concepts for a new aquatic leisure centre in Smithton.
“I am very pleased to be able to release these concepts today, which if supported by the community will provide a significant boost to the Smithton community,” Mayor Quilliam said.
“These plans have been a long time coming, and as the Circular Head War Memorial Pool comes to the end of its practicable life span it is essential that we look forward to a new design that goes beyond being just a swimming pool in a shed.”
Background:
In 2011, building on previous reports and after the appointment of a Circular Head indoor pool community reference group, Council commissioned expert consultants, HM Leisure Planning Pty. Ltd. and Inspiring Place to produce the Smithton Leisure and Recreation Development Plan.
This Plan was to study the provision of recreation facilities across three key Smithton sites, to undertake consultation with stakeholders and to provide recommendations and site concepts for a new indoor aquatic facility, to replace the existing indoor pool that is nearing the end of its practicable life span.
The new centre, it was recommended, should be a contemporary community aquatic leisure centre with other appropriate and complimentary facilities, not just a new “swimming pool in a shed”. It was imagined that the new centre would be home to a gymnasium, cafe and multipurpose spaces and that these could be leased and operated by local businesses. This would assist in the long term sustainability of a new facility.
During development of the Smithton Leisure and Recreation DevelopmentPlan and after the consultants had reviewed related urban development plans and reports concerned with the future planning of Smithton’s town centre, a fourth possible site was proposed as ideal for a combined use facility. This central location, on Council owned CBD land, subsequently became the ‘recommended’ site.
In 2012, Council invited four leading architectural practices to provide concepts showing how they would envisage a combined ‘health and wellbeing’ facility on the recommended site, with a view to the selection of a concept suggesting the most creative solution. This solution also needed to maximise the connections and urban design outcomes to benefit and help consolidate the heart of Smithton.
“I am confident that once Circular Head residents look over these plans and consider the proposals they will understand why the Council has chosen the preferred site,” Mayor Quilliam said.
“That said, if there is firm opposition to the plan, of course Council will work with the community to find a practical solution.”
The Circular Head Council and the Strategic Projects Office invite you to participate in public information sessions to review the four site options and concept ideas for the preferred CBD site.
The information sessions will be held at the Circular Head Council Chambers on:
Further information and the concept designs will be on display at the Strategic Projects Office, 20a Smith Street, Smithton (to the rear of the new public toilets) and is available for viewing at www.circularhead.tas.gov.au/yoursay
The public may also view the concept designs and site plan options by arranging a time with the Strategic Projects Office on 6452 4880.
Comments can be made before 5pm 29 June, 2012, either in writing addressed to the General Manager, or posted onto Council’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/CircularHeadCouncil