By Laura Michell
The reopening of Mill Park Leisure Centre has been pushed back several months by Whittlesea council as a result of COVID-19.
The council had planned to open the redeveloped facility in the middle of this year, however, acting chief executive Joe Carbone said the centre will now not be complete until summer.
The council said delays in materials being delivered, social distancing impacts and additional roof works identified during demolition of the centre had added time to the schedule.
Mr Carborne said the council discovered that the existing pool hall skylight and ceiling insulation/roof sheeting had deteriorated beyond repair, adding at least eight weeks to the schedule.
He said the redevelopment was 80 per cent complete.
“Construction set-backs for redevelopment projects of this size are quite common,” he said.
“While there are significant cost savings that come with redeveloping existing facilities, they still need to meet current day standards in every way.
“We overcame challenges earlier on when an unexpected amount of rock in the ground was discovered, which took a significant amount of time to remove.
“Unfortunately, the pointy-end of completing this highly-anticipated community facility has come at a challenging time for us all.
“COVID-19 impacts have delayed the delivery of materials and we have lost efficiencies through social distancing that has impacted the way our construction workers can operate.”
The leisure centre’s $25 million redevelopment began in July 2018.
Once complete, the centre will include three new pools – one for leisure with water play equipment, one for swimming lessons, and a warm water pool – an upgraded 25-metre pool, a larger spa and sauna, new change facilities, a new cafe and reception, a refurbished creche, improved weight training and cardio areas, bigger group fitness rooms and landscaped outdoor space with play equipment, barbecues and outdoor exercise equipment.
To find out more, visit: whittlesea.vic.gov.au/millparkleisure
