Willoughby Council adds $26m to bill
Willoughby City Council’s budget for the redevelopment of its leisure centre has soared from $38.9 to $65 million in response to challenging in-ground site conditions, it says. Council announced the increase at its meeting on 28 April.
What was originally intended as a pool refurbishment has morphed into a new build due to the inadequacy of the existing structures, including steel columns, roof beams and poor site conditions.
Willoughby Leisure Centre sits on Bicentennial Reserve, a former tip that operated from the 1930s to 1985, when the facility was built.
Mayor Tanya Taylor told NL that anticipating the in-ground conditions was not possible.
“While we were aware of the site’s history as a municipal waste facility and the potential for this to pose challenges for our project team, it was virtually impossible to fully assess the extent of this until we were able to gain access to beneath the old pool shells,” Mayor Taylor said.
After demolition, it was found that the piles of the building’s substructure did not meet the required structural bearing capacity, nor did they meet the seismic standards in the event of an earthquake.
The entire structural elements had to be demolished and 263 new piers constructed. The discovery of asbestos in the soil during excavation further hindered the project’s progression. The non-friable asbestos was not significant in quantity but was widespread and would require strict management according to Environmental Protection Authority guidelines.
Council stressed that rates revenue would not be used to fund the extra work and no rates increase was needed, the incremental project was funded by developer contributions and existing internal reserves. Willoughby rates were already raised by 15% just for the 2024/5 financial year.
“We are working diligently to manage these challenges with responsible financial oversight and practical solutions that will see a reopening of this important community facility as soon as possible,” Mayor Taylor said.
“While the additional cost is considerable, it is also an investment in the future of Willoughby.”
The leisure centre should be completed late this year and council is planning to open the new facility in February 2026, in time for the first term of swimming lessons.