Bexley Swimming Pool Aquatic Facilities Development FEASIBILTY REPORT Rockdale City Council

312 Pages·2010·5.71 MB·English

Bexley Swimming Pool
Aquatic Facilities Development
FEASIBILTY REPORT
Rockdale City Council
Mr Zoran Sarin
Coordinator Property Services
20 October 2010
Bexley Swimming Pool Document Control Table
Document Control Table
Date Issue Status Signed
20100920 A Final Draft
20101020 B Final
iii
ROCKDALE CITY COUNCIL

BEXLEY SWIMMING POOL
AQUATIC FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT

CONTENTS

SITE ASSESSMENT SITE ANALYSIS 2
GEOTECHNICAL REPORT 4
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 5

ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING FACILITY 6

POOL REFERENCE GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 8

COUNCIL RESOLUTION 9

CONCEPT DESIGN FOR OPTION 1 10

COST - OPTION1 12

RECREATION PLANNER’S REPORT SUMMARY 13

ALTERNATIVE CONCEPT DESIGN - OPTION 2 19

COSTING - OPTION2 21

FEASIBILITY 22

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 24

APPENDICES 26

APPENDIX A - Geotechnical Report
APPENDIX B - Environmental Report
APPENDIX C – Aquatic Engineering Report
APPENDIX D - Cost Estimates
APPENDIX E - Recreational Planners' Report
APPENDIX F - Architectural Drawings
APPENDIX G – Responses to Comments

1001-0603-20101013MD-FINAL SUBMISSION.DOC ISSUE B – FINAL
 COPYRIGHT PAGE 1 OF 31
TOMPKINSMDA ARCHITECTS
ROCKDALE CITY COUNCIL

BEXLEY SWIMMING POOL
AQUATIC FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT

SITE ASSESSMENT

SITE ANALYSIS

The existing Bexley Swimming Centre is located at 98C Preddys Road, Bexley North and
nestles within Bardwell Reserve.

Bexley is located 14km from the Sydney CBD and lies within Rockdale Local Government
Area.

The existing Bexley Swimming Centre is an outdoor facility and includes the following:

 3 outdoor heated swimming pools consisting of an 8 lane 50m pool, a 19m long
programme pool and a toddler’s pool
 steam and spa room (currently under renovation)
 kiosk and office area
 male and female shower and change room facilities
 significant open lawn area
 some shaded seating areas.

The Bexley Swimming Centre has very low visibility from all main thoroughfares. The entry
to the car park is located off Preddys Road and from the carpark there is a single entry point
to the Swimming Centre which is set almost 150 metres back from the Road.

The various functions associated with the existing swimming centre are housed in an
unnecessarily substantial building comprising a ground floor level and basement designed
by the NSW Government Architect in 1975. The building accommodates the entry to the
swimming centre, amenities and management facilities. The building does not meet the
requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act and does not comply with the disability
requirements of the Building Code of Australia

Upon entry via the turnstiles, the amenities are located in a portion of the building to the
North. The female amenities are located on the entry level. Next to the female amenities is
a room now containing a spa pool, steam room, 2 showers and 2 unisex toilets, each with
hand basins.

The male amenities and change facilities are located in a basement, a level below the entry
and are accessed by two separate and very steep stairs which due to their construction and
configuration are bordering on being dangerous.

To the south of the entry is a kiosk and administration building.

Located to the east directly beyond the entry is the 50m x 8 lane outdoor heated swimming
pool, which varies in depth from 1.0m to 2.0m, a 19.0m x 9.2m wide programme pool,
varying in depth from 0.5m to 1.0m, and a hexagonal shaped toddler’s pool located to the
south of the 50m pool. Both the programme pool and toddler’s pool are partially shaded.
Around the pools, to the east and south is an abundance of grassed area interspersed with
1001-0603-20101013MD-FINAL SUBMISSION.DOC ISSUE B – FINAL
 COPYRIGHT PAGE 2 OF 31
TOMPKINSMDA ARCHITECTS
ROCKDALE CITY COUNCIL

BEXLEY SWIMMING POOL
AQUATIC FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT

seating areas. This aspect of the existing outdoor pools is one that gives great pleasure to
users during the summer months

The Filtration and Water Treatment Plant for the three (3) existing pools is housed in a
separate masonry building located on the grassy slopes to the east of the 50m pool. The
balance tank lies under the deep (north) end of the 50m pool and is located between the
pool and the Plant building.

The amenities building comprises the following facilities:

 Male - 6 stall urinal, 4 WCs, 5 basins, 3 showers and an excessive length of bench
seating within the change area
 Female - 6 WCs, 5 basins, 6 showers, and an excessive length of bench seating within
the change area.

The administration building contains the following:

 2 offices
 Staff amenities - 2 WCs, 2 Basins and 2 showers
 2 store rooms
 Kiosk and preparation area
 First aid room
 Pool Supervisor’s office.

As stated previously, the amenities and administration building was constructed in 1975-6
around the same time as the 50 metre and programme pools. The building was substantially
refurbished in 2003-4, at which time the steam room, spa and family and disabled change
rooms were added. Notwithstanding the substantial nature of the original building and the
relatively recent refurbishment, the building continues to cause maintenance problems. The
most recent such problems resulted from water penetration in the upper floor slab, which
ultimately caused the ceiling in the lower floor, male change room to collapse. These leaks
have recently been identified and repaired and the lower ceiling replaced. No further
problems are apparent.

In addition to the above, the uppermost ceiling is currently being damaged by water
penetration in a number of locations and it has been suggested that the roof requires
wholesale replacement.

There are also reports of a lack of shade at the site.

The Bexley Swimming Centre was constructed in 1974. Both the 50m pool and the program
pool have undergone significant differential settlement, and tiles are showing the usual signs
of age, such a cracking, worn and chipped edges, crazing and delaminating.

The landscaping around the pools is primarily lawn, with concrete paving around the pools
and at the entry area. The Bexley Swimming Centre is situated in a valley surrounded on
three sides by sloping grass areas and sparse vegetation. The site slopes down to the North
where an existing Sydney Water stormwater surcharge channel runs. Due to its location in a
valley, the site is well sheltered from prevailing easterly winds. The only exposed area of the
site is to the North and northwest. Occasionally it is subjected to westerly winds.

1001-0603-20101013MD-FINAL SUBMISSION.DOC ISSUE B – FINAL
 COPYRIGHT PAGE 3 OF 31
TOMPKINSMDA ARCHITECTS
ROCKDALE CITY COUNCIL

BEXLEY SWIMMING POOL
AQUATIC FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT

The existing car park at the western end of the centre provides for 106 cars and has a
bituminous surface with falls to several stormwater outlets. Access to the car park is via an
entry gate and exit is via a separate gate south of the entry driveway off Preddys Road.

To the Southwest of the site and located significantly higher are a number residential
properties with a rear lane access. Apart from these residential lots Council controls most of
the land immediately surrounding the swimming centre site.

As part of this Feasibility Study commission, TompkinsMDA Architects were required to brief
and obtain a detailed feature survey of the site.

This survey has been carried out by YSCO Geomatics (Youdale Strudwick and Company
Pty Limited). The survey shows all existing structures, pool, carparking and trees as well as
contours and spot levels over the site and an extended area to the south west. The survey
is presented in three sheets, Reference 1410/1 dated 8 April 2010.

GEOTECHNICAL REPORT

As part of this Feasibility Study commission, TompkinsMDA Architects were also required to
brief and obtain a geotechnical investigation both in relation to the subsidence of the existing
pools and the potential construction of the Bexley Pool Reference Group proposal (option 1)
located at the south end of the 50 metre pool. The geotechnical investigation was carried
out by Jeffery and Katauskas Pty Ltd, Consulting Geotechnical and Environmental
Engineers. A copy of this report is attached in Appendix A. This investigation has as its
objectives the determining of the ground conditions, in the preferred area of the proposed
indoor pool, and around the area of subsidence of the existing 50m pool together with
determining whether or not the fill which is known to exist beneath the pool and in other parts
of the site is contaminated and if so, the extent of contamination.

Below is a summary of the outcomes of the geotechnical investigation and possible remedial
measures as reported by Jeffery and Katauskas Pty Ltd:

Note: Bracketed comments provided by TompkinsMDA Architects

Existing 50 metre pool:
 depth of fill varies from 1m (boreholes 1&5) along the west and 6-7m (boreholes 2,3
& 4) along the east.
 "it is highly unlikely that the pool has been uniformly founded on bedrock."
 fill subject to ongoing compression/settlement, thus causing the pool itself to distort,
resulting in cracking.
 "the non uniform load applied by the variable depth of the water in the pool, together
with the variable thickness of fill, would have resulted in some initial differential
movement".
 underlying fill is "very poorly compacted" and thus subject to ongoing creep.
 leaking water results in subsoil erosion and therefore ongoing settlement.
 Repairing the leaks will not solve the problem as settlement of the fill beneath the
pool is unlikely to stabilise.
1001-0603-20101013MD-FINAL SUBMISSION.DOC ISSUE B – FINAL
 COPYRIGHT PAGE 4 OF 31
TOMPKINSMDA ARCHITECTS
ROCKDALE CITY COUNCIL

BEXLEY SWIMMING POOL
AQUATIC FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT

Possible remedial measures:
 pool be supported on underlying sandstone bedrock by piles or grouted columns
through the base of the existing pool. (this introduces a significant waterproofing
problem)
 construct new pool shell within the existing shell (50.9m long x 21.8m wide is feasible
but pool would probably be too shallow)
The report also suggests that excavation for new indoor aquatic centre (Option 1 as
proposed by the Bexley Pool Reference Group) will also cause the poorly compacted fill
which underlies the site to settle further.

ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION

As part of this Feasibility Study commission, TompkinsMDA Architects were also required to
brief and obtain an environmental report as Council suspected the presence of contaminated
soils at the site. EIS (Environmental Investigation Services), an associated Company of
Jeffrey and Katauskas were commissioned for the work.

Samples from the boreholes taken by the geotechnical consultant were also tested for
contamination by Environmental Investigation Services. The results of the testing are:

BH2 and BH3 fill samples contained elevated levels of heavy metals.
 The lead analytical results obtained from BH2 and BH3 were 1900mg/kg and
830mg/kg which exceeded the site assessment criterion of 600mg/kg.
 EIS consider that remediation and/or management of the contamination will be
required to render the site suitable for the proposed use.
 Elevated concentrations of heavy metal above the Provisional Phyto-toxicity
Investigation Levels (PPILs) were encountered in BH2, BH3 and BH4. PPILs are
generic values based on phyto-toxicity data for plant response to specific
contaminants in a sandy loam matrix (i.e. adverse affects on plant growth in
established and proposed areas of landscaping). Therefore, EIS consider that these
results pose no significant risk to the suitability of the site for the propose use.

Based on the results, recommendations made by EIS are:

 Levels of heavy metals at the site exceed guideline levels for the proposed use.
 Site can be made suitable by undertaking the following:-

Additional investigation to better assess nature and extent of heavy metal contamination

 Remediation to remove the risk associated with the contamination.
 Management to control the risk associated with the contamination

A copy of the EIS report is contained in Appendix B.
1001-0603-20101013MD-FINAL SUBMISSION.DOC ISSUE B – FINAL
 COPYRIGHT PAGE 5 OF 31
TOMPKINSMDA ARCHITECTS
ROCKDALE CITY COUNCIL

BEXLEY SWIMMING POOL
AQUATIC FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT

ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING FACILITY

In May 2004, Geoff Ninnes Fong and Partners was commissioned by Council to review the
existing pool structure, filtration and water treatment. A copy of the report is attached at
Appendix C.

The finding of the report were:

Water Treatment System

 Single plant system for all pools is a basic contravention of the NSW HEALTH
Guidelines
 The long turnover periods and low turnover rates than recommended under the
guidelines also contravene NSW HEALTH Guidelines
 50m pool has undergone significant differential settlement resulting in poor condition
of joints generally.
 Loss of adhesion of pool tiles generally and therefore the surface finishes are in need
of full replacement.
 separate heating system is needed for the different pool requirements i.e. toddler’s
pool, programme pool and 50m pool
 separate reticulation, filtration, water treatment and balance tanks required for the
different pools

50m Pool
 needs to be brought into compliance with the NSW HEALTH Guidelines by the
following:
o construction of larger deck level gutters
o replacement of central floor return pipe and other return to pool pipes
o new filtration system
o reuse exist pool heating system for this pool only
o balance tank upgrade - to be used for this pool only
 Other upgrades required:
o joints
o tiling
o raised hobs to ends of pools

To date, Council has made some upgrades to the existing 50m pool, including re-jointing,
some retiling and temporary re-levelling of existing scum gutters by provision of plastic weirs.

SUMMARY OF INVESTIGATION INTO EXISTING POOL(S)

Bexley Swimming Pool has suffered from excessive water loss, due to settlement of fill
material and joint leakage. Replacement of joints has significantly reduced the water loss
from an estimated 40,000 litres/day to approximately 5000 litres/day. Notwithstanding this,
the current water loss is considered unacceptable in the current environmental context.

1001-0603-20101013MD-FINAL SUBMISSION.DOC ISSUE B – FINAL
 COPYRIGHT PAGE 6 OF 31
TOMPKINSMDA ARCHITECTS
ROCKDALE CITY COUNCIL

BEXLEY SWIMMING POOL
AQUATIC FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT

In 2004, GNFP reviewed the existing Bexley Swimming Pool Centre and recommended that
significant works were required to upgrade the existing 50m pool and to bring the pool back
into compliance with the NSWHEALTH Guidelines.

A Geotechnical Investigation report completed in May 2010 as part of this study
recommended that repairing the existing leaks to the 50m pool will not solve the current
problem. The report recommends building a new pool within the existing shell, supported on
new piles or grouted columns through the base of the existing pool into the sandstone
bedrock beneath.

An Environmental Investigation report found the site contained heavy metals which exceeds
guidelines for the proposed use. The report recommends remediation and/or management
to remove or control the risk associated with the contamination.

All of the above taken together indicates that a new 50m outdoor pool is required,
more especially if Council requires a pool of “National Standing.”

1001-0603-20101013MD-FINAL SUBMISSION.DOC ISSUE B – FINAL
 COPYRIGHT PAGE 7 OF 31
TOMPKINSMDA ARCHITECTS
ROCKDALE CITY COUNCIL

BEXLEY SWIMMING POOL
AQUATIC FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT

BEXLEY POOL REFERENCE GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS

In late 2008, Council resolved to identify the various measures that needed to be taken to
improve the Bexley Swimming Pool facility and the type of services that need to be provided,
to create a facility of “National Standing”.

Council invited residents to participate in a “Bexley Pool Reference Group” (BPRG) to assist
it determine the requirements in with consultation with pool users. The BPRG was
subsequently set up, comprising representatives of Rockdale Swim Club, local public
schools and high schools, a community representative, the pool operator and Council staff.
The BPRG provided advice to Council regarding pool patronage and potential patronage
and advised that the demand for water space exceeds the water space available and that
this deficiency can be met through the provision of additional water space such as an indoor
25m program/leisure pool. An indoor pool will also ensure year round use and therefore
represent maximum use of the available water space and maximum flexibility and benefit to
the community.

The BPRG further refined the in-principle option adopted by Council and recommended a
component mix for the indoor pool comprising:

 8 lane x 25 metre pool with average depth of 1.15m (heating to 27.5 degrees C)
 7.5m x 20m “hot” pool with average depth of 1m (heating to 32 degrees C)
 2.5m - 3m concourse around and between pools
 heating to 27.5 degrees C for the 25m pool and 32 degrees C for the hot pool
 accessible ramps and steps into both pools
 lift access into both pools
 all pools covered by suitable fixtures with mechanically ventilated air conditioning
 separate amenities are recommended for the indoor facility
 a covered walkway between the indoor pool and the existing pool entry is
strongly recommended.
 recommended compliance with all regulatory requirements (NSW Health, NSW
Department of Education and Training, NSW Department of Sport, Recreation
and Racing and Austswim)
 allowance for future growth to incorporate fitness/gym, café and the like. (Not
required as part of first stage); and
 use of energy efficient heating, cooling and lighting to promote sustainability and
reduce operating costs.
The proposed location for the indoor swimming pool was the southern end of the existing
50m pool, where the existing program pool and toddler pool is currently located.

1001-0603-20101013MD-FINAL SUBMISSION.DOC ISSUE B – FINAL
 COPYRIGHT PAGE 8 OF 31
TOMPKINSMDA ARCHITECTS