Angelo Anestis Aquatic Centre, Bexley

The new Angelo Anestis Aquatic Centre is located on the site of the existing Bexley Pool and is part of the Rockdale City Council area. The aquatic Centre forms an important component of Rockdale’s leisure facilities replacing an outdated but important pool servicing the local community for over 40 years. Project details: • Pools: Outdoor 50m with water polo • Outdoor splash deck • Indoor 25m, 8 lanes • Indoor TLS • Indoor Leisure pool with slide • Gymnasium/Health Club 750m2 • Spin room and Yoga Room • Creche and Public Meeting rooms • Retail outlet and cafe • new aquatic centre and gym The new facility provides a new 50m outdoor pool, an indoor pool hall with a 25m pool, learn to swim and leisure pool. The project also includes a gym, creche and mixed use room to accommodate community groups. The aquatic centre is supported by a cafe/kiosk with a party/room hire area. The site of the facility is located in a lush valley connected to the Bardwell Valley Reserve. The unique sheltered valley has be preserved by the design. The aquatic centre has been located partially over the existing pools and carparks, allowing the new centre to avoid the former stone creek which divides the site. The project included a new masterplan for the entire public facility. Design issues which influenced the design included: • large overland flows and flooding • Areas of contamination • Environmental protection zones • Proximity to nearly residential areas • Complex traffic systems • large level changes • building design and esd The new facilities building services incorporate the use of efficient A/C systems, lighting, water saving filtration systems and energy efficient pool heating systems. Full height glazing and skylights (with sunshading) allows the centre to operate with minimal artificial lighting during daylight hours of operation. Openable sections of the wall glazing and skylight windows allow for natural cross ventilation on hot summer days reducing the need to use mechanical systems. The filtration system have been incorporated to significantly reduce the need for regular backwash saving on water usage. BHA were engaged as Architect and Principal Design Consultant for the Masterplan, Design and Construction phases.  Our role included significant User, Stakeholder and Public Consultation. To assist with the preparation of the Return Brief the team inspected 20 large aquatic centres in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne to benchmark current best practice.