Community feedback sought as City of Albany prepares to explore expansion of Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre

A new feasibility study launched by the City of Albany will explore how development of Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre can meet the demands of a growing region. The first stage of the study, which Otium Planning Group has been contracted to deliver, involves a community survey which can be completed online. The 10-minute survey asks individuals how they and their families use the centre, what would make them more likely to use it, and what they think about its different aspects. City of Albany community services executive director Nathan Watson said community feedback was essential to the quality of the study. “Understanding how people currently use ALAC and also the growth and participation trends of the various user groups will provide valuable information in assessing how well placed ALAC is to continue to meet the needs of a growing community,” he said. Each year, more than 500,000 people visit the centre, which features a pool, gym, indoor courts, creche and cafe facilities, making it the city’s busiest community facility. OPG’s feasibility study will assess how well ALAC meets current demand, what needs to be done to meet growing demand, and whether it is meeting user expectations. Mr Watson said the aim for the study was to help the council make informed decisions about the future of the centre. “ALAC also plays a really important role in servicing the region from a sport and recreation perspective, but parts of the facility are ageing and may not meet current design standards, so we need to consider all these things,” he said. When it opened in 1978, ALAC just has netball courts and ablution facilities before significant expansion in 1985 added the 25m swimming pool, spa, sauna, solarium, grandstand, and additional ablutions as well a a creche and cafeteria. More recently a $16.8 million redevelopment in 2008 added or upgraded features, such as a leisure pool, waterslide, steam room, spa, cafeteria, gymnasium, group fitness room, administration centre, meeting rooms, and improved toilets and change rooms. Three additional multi-purpose indoor courts were also completed in January 2011. The survey can be completed via the City’s website by navigating to the current projects section under the ALAC feasibility study banner. It will remain open until August 2.