Willoughby Leisure Centre Upgrade

Recent rainfall has caused delays to the roofing replacement works currently underway at the Willoughby Leisure Centre Sports Hall. Originally estimated for completion by the end of May, the works are now expected to be completed by the end of June.

As a result, the Sports Hall will remain closed until the end of June.

During this time:

• The Health Club (gym) remains open as usual.

• Group fitness classes will continue to run within the facility and at Artarmon Community Hall, 139 Artarmon Road

We understand this delay may cause some inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding. We will keep you updated on any further developments as the project progresses.

Construction progress on site over last month

• Roofing – Installation of waterproof membrane and roofing top hats
• Official Pool Testing – 80% complete
• Timber Roof Purlins – These will be a feature of the centre and are now all installed
• Glazing – Circular window frames installed in the eastern wall
• Demolition – Of the old Spa room floor has commenced
• Existing Sports Hall & Central Spine – Scaffolding has been erected for recladding works

Focus of construction work in coming month

• Installation of curved roof sheets on north side of pool hall
• Installation of Ceiling
• Completion of demolition works to old spa & area for platform lift
• Preparation works for new Main Switchboard Room
• Preparation works for excavation for underground rainwater tanks

Completed works

• Since the pool closed on 19 November 2022, the following works have been completed:
• Site establishment
• Demolition of the old pool hall
• Implementation of Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approved Asbestos Management Plan protocols with excavation and removal of some asbestos contaminated soil.
• Construction of new piles to support the pool hall
• Structural retaining wall on the site’s north-eastern boundary completed
• Capping of contaminated soil on 100% of the site
• New stormwater line in Small Street
• Below ground backwash tanks for the 25m and program pools
• Pool Concrete shells are complete for the 25m Pool, Program Pool, Learn to Swim Pool and Spa
• Concrete ring beams to support steel columns
• Concrete slabs for upper level plant rooms
• Structural steel columns & roof beams to northern & southern sector of the site
• Steel framed wall on Eastern side
• Installation of new Electrical Substation
• Timber Purlins
• Installation of 2 x Mechanical A/C Units

Other relevant project updates over the last month

Continuation of the Asbestos Management Plan - daily air monitoring continuing

Sports Hall is now closed for re-roofing works, the Health club remains open until re-roofing works move to the central spine area.

Expected project completion date Feb 2026

Willoughby City Council is increasing the budget allocation for the Willoughby Leisure Centre project—from the original $38.9 million to $65 million - following a necessary change in project scope. In line with this, we are also announcing a new anticipated opening in February, 2026.

This adjustment responds to challenges encountered due to latent in-ground site conditions.

The video below describes more about the project, the history of the Willoughby Leisure Centre site at Bicentennial Reserve, and the unique challenges our project team has faced due to the site’s prior uses.

We will continue to provide regular updates on the project and timeline through this page and other channels, as new information becomes available.

For more information, see the updated FAQs on the taskbar at the right hand side of this page

Construction progress on site over last month

• Timber Purlins – Installation of main & intermediate purlins
• Plant room waterproof floor and installation of insulation & Pool Filters
• Installation of Electrical Substation
• Official testing of all pool shells
• Plant room services fit out
• Installation of roof liner

Focus of construction work in coming month

• Installation of roofing on pool hall
• Installation of Ceiling
• Preparation works for new Platform Lift
• Completion of Scaffolding around the existing sports hall & central spine
• Commencement of re-roofing of existing sports hall

Completed works

• Since the pool closed on 19 November 2022, the following works have been completed:
• Site establishment
• Demolition of the old pool hall
• Implementation of Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approved Asbestos Management Plan protocols with excavation and removal of some asbestos contaminated soil.
• Construction of new piles to support the pool hall
• Structural retaining wall on the site’s north-eastern boundary completed
• Capping of contaminated soil on 100% of the site
• New stormwater line in Small Street
• Below ground backwash tanks for the 25m and program pools
• Pool Concrete shells are complete for the 25m Pool, Program Pool, Learn to Swim Pool and Spa
• Concrete ring beams to support steel columns
• Concrete slabs for upper level plant rooms
• Structural steel columns & roof beams to northern & southern sector of the site
• Steel framed wall on Eastern side
• Installation of new Electrical Substation
• Timber Purlins

Other relevant project updates over the last month

Continuation of the Asbestos Management Plan - daily air monitoring continuing

Centre facilities currently open, including the Health club and sports hall. The sports hall will be closed from mid-April 2025 during re-roofing works.

Expected project completion date 2025

Construction progress on site over last month

• Timber Purlins – Installation of main & intermediate purlins
• Plant room waterproof floor and installation of insulation & Pool Filters
• Installation of Electrical Substation
• Circular window frames on eastern elevation

Focus of construction work in coming month

• Installation of ceiling and insulation
• Installation of roofing
• Official testing of all pool shells
• Installation of electrical substation
• Plant room services fit out

Completed works

Since the pool closed on 19 November 2022, the following works have been completed:

• Site establishment
• Demolition of the old pool hall
• Implementation of Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approved Asbestos Management Plan protocols with excavation and removal of some asbestos contaminated soil.
• Construction of new piles to support the pool hall
• Structural retaining wall on the site’s north-eastern boundary completed
• Capping of contaminated soil on 100% of the site
• New stormwater line in Small Street
• Below ground backwash tanks for the 25m and program pools
• Pool Concrete shells are complete for the 25m Pool, Program Pool, Learn to Swim Pool and Spa
• Concrete ring beams to support steel columns
• Concrete slabs for upper level plant rooms
• Structural steel columns & roof beams to northern & southern sector of the site
• Steel framed wall on Eastern side
• Installation of new Electrical Substation
• Timber Purlins

Other relevant project updates over the last month

• Continuation of the Asbestos Management Plan - daily air monitoring continuing

Centre facilities currently open

• Health club and sports hall, including a full range of land-based group fitness classes

Expected project completion date

• 2025

Construction progress on site - January 2025

• Structural steel (Columns & curved roof beams) erection on the northern & southern sector of the site
• Surface preparation for floor finishes/tiling on Learn to Swim Pool & Leisure Pool

Focus of construction work in coming month

• Installation of Timber Purlins
• Complete Water testing on all pools & balance tanks
• Installation of electrical substation
• Existing plant room slab integration

Completed works

Since the pool closed on 19 November 2022, the following works have been completed:

• Site establishment
• Demolition of the old pool hall
• Implementation of Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approved Asbestos Management Plan protocols with excavation and removal of some asbestos contaminated soil.
• Construction of new piles to support the pool hall
• Structural retaining wall on the site’s north-eastern boundary completed
• Capping of contaminated soil on 100% of the site
• New stormwater line in Small Street
• Below ground backwash tanks for the 25m and program pools
• Pool Concrete shells are complete for the 25m Pool, Program Pool, Learn to Swim Pool and Spa
• Concrete ring beams to support steel columns
• Concrete slabs for upper level plant rooms
• Structural steel columns & roof beams to northern & southern sector of the site

Other relevant project updates over the last month

• A new time lapse video, showing construction between January and July 2024, has been added to the project website.
• Continuation of the Asbestos Management Plan - daily air monitoring continuing

Centre facilities currently open

• Health club and sports hall, including a full range of land-based group fitness classes

Expected project completion date

• 2025

Construction progress on site December 2024

• Major structural steel (columns & curved roof beams) erection on northern sector of the site complete

• Additional concourse slab around pools complete

• Hydraulic and electrical enabling works for pool commenced

Focus of construction work in coming month

• Structural steel (Columns & curved roof beams) erection on southern sector of the site

• Delivery to site of electrical substation

• Surface preparation for floor finishes/tiling on Learn to Swim Pool & Leisure Pool

• Existing plant room slab integration

Completed works

Since the pool closed on 19 November 2022, the following works have been completed:

• Site establishment

• Demolition of the old pool hall

• Implementation of Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approved Asbestos Management Plan protocols with excavation and removal of some asbestos contaminated soil.

• Construction of new piles to support the pool hall

• Structural retaining wall on the site’s north-eastern boundary completed

• Capping of contaminated soil on 100% of the site

• New stormwater line in Small Street

• Below ground backwash tanks for the 25m and program pools

• Pool Concrete shells are complete for the 25m Pool, Program Pool, Learn to Swim Pool and Spa

• Concrete ring beams to support steel columns

• Concrete slabs for upper level plant rooms

• Structural steel columns & roof beams to northern sector of the site

Other relevant project updates over the last month

Construction progress on site over last month

• Concourse slab around pools complete
• Leakage test passed for Learn to Swim Pool & Program Pool
• Scaffold ‘bird cage’ installed for steel framework construction
• Structural steel (Columns & curved roof beams) erection on northern sector of the site

Focus of construction work in coming month

• Structural steel (Columns & curved roof beams) erection on southern sector of the site
• Delivery to site of electrical substation
• Surface preparation for floor finishes/tiling on Learn to Swim Pool & Leisure Pool
• Existing plant room slab integration

Completed works

Since the pool closed on 19 November 2022, the following works have been completed:

• Site establishment
• Demolition of the old pool hall
• Implementation of Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approved Asbestos Management Plan protocols with excavation and removal of some asbestos contaminated soil.
• Construction of new piles to support the pool hall
• Structural retaining wall on the site’s north-eastern boundary completed
• Capping of contaminated soil on 100% of the site
• New stormwater line in Small Street
• Below ground backwash tanks for the 25m and program pools
• Pool Concrete shells are complete for the 25m Pool, Program Pool, Learn to Swim Pool and Spa
• Concrete ring beams to support steel columns
• Concrete slabs for upper level plant rooms
• Structural steel columns & roof beams to northern sector of the site

Other relevant project updates over the last month

• Continuation of the Asbestos Management Plan - daily air monitoring continuing

Centre facilities currently open

• Health club and sports hall, including a full range of land-based group fitness classes

Expected project completion date

• 2025

A progress report on upgrades to the Willoughby Leisure Centre will be submitted to Council in the first half of 2025.

Following review of the report, we anticipate being able to provide a more information re the timeline for project completion and date for the opening of the new pool.

We’ll provide further updates on this page, as more information becomes available.

Construction progress on site over last month

• Concourse slab around pools is predominately complete
• Family Change Room – Walls & columns poured
• Upper plant room – Concrete slab above family change room complete
• Concrete walls around eastern spa area poured
• Water testing of pools
• Scaffold ‘bird cage’ installed for steel framework construction
• Ring beam to support the pool hall’s structural steel complete

Focus of construction work in coming month

• Structural steel delivery to site
• Erection of structural steel columns & beams for northern end of the site
• Completion of pool cover concrete boxes
• Completion of concourse slab
• Existing plant room slab integration
• Filtration pipes to southern wall void to be installed
• Completion of slab base for Electrical Sub Station

Completed works

Since the pool closed on 19 November 2022, the following works have been completed:

• Site establishment
• Demolition of the old pool hall
• Implementation of Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approved Asbestos Management Plan protocols with excavation and removal of some asbestos contaminated soil.
• Construction of new piles to support the pool hall
• Structural retaining wall on the site’s north-eastern boundary completed
• Capping of contaminated soil on 100% of the site
• New stormwater line in Small Street
• Below ground backwash tanks for the 25m and program pools
• Pool Concrete shells are complete for the 25m Pool, Program Pool, Learn to Swim Pool and Spa
• Concrete ring beams to support steel columns

Other relevant project updates over the last month

• A new time lapse video, showing construction between January and July 2024, has been added to the project website.
• Continuation of the Asbestos Management Plan - daily air monitoring continuing

Centre facilities currently open

• Health club and sports hall, including a full range of land-based group fitness classes

Expected project completion date

• 2025

Project photographs from October 2026.