Previous monthly updates

In July, the project advanced significantly in several areas. The shells for both the 25-meter pool and the program pool were completed. Additionally, the preparation of the spa area was completed. The Learn to Swim pool and the splash pad were also formed, with the necessary formwork and framing erected to support and shape the anticipated concrete pour. It is expected that all the remaining concrete pools shells will be complete next month.

In June, the project made progress in a number of areas. Considerable progress was made when concrete was poured for the 25-meter pool's southern base and northern walls. Similar to this, the program pool achieved a significant milestone when the base and northern walls were filled with concrete. In the Learn to Swim pool, formwork and framing were erected to support and shape the concrete pour. In the same way, the concrete placement for the spa area was finished.
Picture illustrates the project rising from the base.

Despite two weeks of rain in early May, significant progress has been made. The 25m pool's concrete base and northern walls are complete. The Program Pool has concrete on the northern half of the base, steel reinforcement on the southern end, and northern walls ready for concrete. The Learn to Swim pool's balance tank is ready for wall installation, and the Children’s splashpad pool has its distinctive 'bean' shape walls ready. In the coming month, more concrete will be poured, further defining the pools' shapes. 

Throughout April, the new swimming pools continued to take shape, with formwork underway for the program pool, Learn to Swim and children’s leisure pool, and the southern half of the 25 metre pool. The entire site now has a capping layer, an important element of the asbestos management of the site.

Construction work on the site is progressing, with the concrete pour for the northern half of the 25m pool and spa completed on 21 March. Preparations are underway for the concrete structures for the program pool and southern end of the 25m pool. Excavation for the Learn to Swim pool is also underway. Work on the plant room at the Southern part of the site is also progressing with the pouring of a concrete slab and framework installation for walls and columns.

During February an exciting milestone was reached with the pouring of the slab for the plant room. Work has now begun on constructing the structural wall that will separate the plant room from the 25m pool and program pool at the lower ground floor level. About two thirds of the site now has a concrete capping layer, an important element of the asbestos management of the site. Installing this capping layer has enabled site contractors to work on those parts of the site in a much more efficient manner. Bulk and detailed excavation is underway on the Learn to Swim and Leisure pools, in the Small Street end of the site and around the perimeter retaining walls on the Flat Rock Gully Road side of the site. 

After a break over Christmas and New Year, work has resumed on the construction site. The construction of the 25-meter pool is ongoing, with holding tanks installed in the foundations. The plant room, which houses the equipment to run the pool, is now beginning to take shape. The installation of concrete beams on the eastern side of the site has been completed, along with concrete frame supports for the southern platform. This marks an important step before the construction of the building commences. 

During December, the capping beam for the retaining wall progressed and is now two-thirds complete. In addition, the sewer trenching on the lower ground floor was installed. Excavation is now underway for the 25m pool. Work has been progressing on the lower plantroom, which has been covered in orange geo-tech fabric for the shutdown period.

The construction site will be shut down over the Christmas break. Work will re-start on 8 January. Dust mitigation measures will continue over the shutdown, with ground sprinklers/mister hoses running every two hours.

The installation of the crane at the construction site represents a pivotal milestone in the project's progression. This prominent addition to the skyline presents a visual milestone for the project.

Since the crane's installation, construction activities have been ongoing on the site.

On the southern section, excavation and concrete pouring for the backwash tanks has been successful, signifying the initiation of the infrastructure for the twenty-five-metre pool.

Simultaneously, on the eastern side of the site, piles for the retaining wall are now complete. An additional 44 piles were needed for the retaining wall, and these increased from 450 -750mm in width. This was in addition to the extra 279 piles needed for the pool structure.

We continue to implement the asbestos management plan for the site. We anticipate having to remove 4,400 tonnes of excavated material off site - 50% of this volume has already been removed.

Willoughby Leisure Centre is excited to share the latest developments of the construction site. On Monday 23 October 2023, Belmadar will begin installing a tower crane at the site. The Mobile Crane, which will handle the installation, will arrive at 6:45 am, with work starting at 7 am. Please expect minor traffic disruptions due to the crane's installation. 

Traffic Control Plan:

A Traffic Control Plan (TCP) has been prepared for these works to ensure safety and minimise disruptions.

You can find detailed information about the TCP in the below map.

For any further questions regarding these works, please contact Belinda McMahon, Senior Project Manager from Belmadar, on 0458 144 440

The construction of the pool foundation piling is complete. Due to the Willoughby Leisure Centre's location on a former landfill site, it was always envisaged that this stage of the project would be complex.

The removal of contaminated soil commenced in July 2023 and will continue until the end of the year. This process is being managed by a licensed asbestos removal contractor in accordance with the Asbestos Management Plan (AMP). The disposal of this soil strictly adheres to environmental regulations at a licensed asbestos waste facility. You can find more details in the Asbestos Management Plan (AMP), available in the Supporting Documents section on this page.

As part of the upgrades to Willoughby Leisure Centre, stormwater works were undertaken at the eastern end of Small St.

The works were completed on Friday the 21st of July. The road is now open as normal.

Demolition Timelapse Video

The Willoughby Leisure Centre upgrade project has reached an important milestone, with demolition of the old pool hall now complete.

The next step will now involve excavation works, in preparation for construction of the new pool hall.

All necessary approvals have been obtained for this excavation, underpinned by a Construction Environmental Management Plan, which can be found in the supporting documents section on the right hand side of this page.

One issue we will be managing in the excavation process relates to asbestos.

Given the Willoughby Leisure Centre is located on a former landfill site, it was always envisaged that the Centre's redevelopment would need to manage contaminated soil issues.

In line with this, we would like to let you know that results from soil test pits have confirmed traces of non-friable asbestos fragments below the current structure, in areas where excavation will be required as part of the centre’s redevelopment.

This asbestos is currently covered and poses no risk to residents, centre users, workers and other key stakeholders.

From 15 May, we will begin safely removing asbestos from the site. More details about how we are doing this can be found on the Have Your Say site for the project, in the Frequently asked Questions and Supporting Documents sections.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to direct these to Joseph Giandomenico - Senior Project Manager (Property), on (02) 9777 1000 or email Joseph.Giandomenico@Willoughby.nsw.gov.au

Willoughby Leisure Centre upgrade project is progressing well, with heavier demolition work scheduled to begin on Monday 13 March. Please be advised that there will be an increase in noise levels due to the demolition work.

In conjunction with the demolition work, the following works will also take place next week:

• Construction hoarding will be installed at the main entrance area over a four-day period, starting on Monday 13 March. While these works are in progress, customers will be diverted through the Sports Hall emergency doors. Our staff will be on hand to guide customers through the new route, ensuring a smooth transition.
• From Monday 13 March to Thursday 16 March, there will be a complete electrical shutdown between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm each day. Although Willoughby Leisure Centre will remain open, certain services including lights, fans, treadmills, and hot water will not be available during these four hours.
• The cafe will close at 12:00 pm on Monday 13 March through to Thursday 16 March, due to the electrical shutdown.

We are excited to announce that our contractors are about to begin dismantling the pool hall. A soft strip out of the building will starting from 20 February with heavier demolition to begin from 22 February.

As a result of these works, there may be an increase in noise levels.

In addition, this Thursday 16 February, there will be a one off power outage from 10:15am to 1pm which will affect the following areas:

• All toilets, showers and hand washing facilities will be unavailable
• Treadmills, TV’s and fans in the health club will be unavailable
• Café will be closed.

All works will be managed safely and traffic controls will be put in place where necessary.

We are looking forward to the many changes that are about to happen and have set up time-lapse cameras to capture the whole project so we can share our journey with the community.