Denise Spencer Roma Swimming Pool Feasibility Study and Business Case

Denise Spencer Swimming Pool was constructed in the 1960’s and is reaching the end of its “useful asset life”. The pool is 50 metres in length and consists of eight lanes. In 2011 the pool was heated and covered with an arched roof structure and enclosed with plastic blinds. Denise Spencer Swimming Pool is the only 50 metre pool in the Maranoa Regional Council area.

Council has commissioned this feasibility study, cost analysis and business case to determine how to best deliver an aquatic centre facility in Roma into the future. All options are to be considered, to ensure the continued availability of a pool complex that meets the current and future needs of the Roma community.

The study has three distinct themes being:

Theme 1 - Major refurbishment of the existing 50 metre swimming pool, learn to swim pool and amenities with a focus on meeting Queensland Health Water Quality Guidelines and Royal Life Saving Queensland Guidelines. Costings to be provided including upfront construction and/or refurbishment costs and ongoing maintenance and operating costs.

Theme 2 – Construction of a new 50 metre swimming pool and learn to swim pool at the current Spencer Street site. Costings to be provided including upfront construction and/or refurbishment costs and ongoing maintenance and operating costs.

Theme 3 – Construction of a new swimming pool complex including a 50 metre swimming pool, learn to swim pool and zero depth play park, and provision of all necessary filtration systems and amenities at a new greenfield site. Costings to be provided including upfront construction and/or refurbishment costs and ongoing maintenance and operating costs.

The current Denise Spencer pool complex comprises:

• 50 metre swimming pool, with a sand filtration system and heated by gas heaters
• Enclosed learn to swim above ground pool, heated by gas heaters, installed in approximately 2007/2008 (using a sand filtration system)
• Zero level water play park completed in December 2015
• Changeroom facilities
• Canteen/kiosk used by the pool manager
• Swimming Club rooms and a canteen used by the swimming club.
• Ancillary buildings - plant rooms and chemical storage.

The final report will addressed each of the three key themes detailed, plus the following outcomes:

• Review previous reports on the Roma Pool including the building condition survey, outcome of Royal Lifesaving Audit and pool maintenance reports.
• Background research on the Roma and District community including demographic analysis and an understanding of the service the Denise Spencer Roma Pool provides to the community.
• Background research on the service the Denise Spencer Pool provides to the wider Maranoa community as the only 50 metre pool in the region and as such the site for regional competitions.
• Relevant industry trends in regional aquatic facility provision.
• Cost effective pool heating requirements, considering for the extreme ambient temperatures experienced in Roma in summer and winter, and the cost of heating.
• Identify and cost necessary upgrade or enhancement works required at the current facility to ensure the facility meets Queensland Health water quality guidelines for public aquatic facilities and the Royal Life Saving Queensland Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation.
• Identify and cost works to construct a new 50 metre swimming pool and learn to swim pool at the existing site and ensure the existing range of services currently provided at the Denise Spencer Pool will continue to be provided. The new proposed pool design must be sufficiently deep to allow diving off starting blocks and provide space for a tiered viewing area to seat approximately 100 spectators.
• Consideration to construct a new aquatic facility in Roma at a greenfield location taking into account each of the criteria included in the “Alternative Site Options and Assessment” in the Study Brief. The new proposed pool design must be sufficiently deep to allow diving off starting blocks and provide space for a tiered viewing area to seat approximately 100 spectators.
• Suggest alternative uses for the buildings that would remain at the existing facility (eg amenities, kiosk, club rooms and shade structure) if the pools were to be relocated.
• Provide costings sufficiently detailed to allow Council to make an informed decision in regard to the options presented.

The feasibility study and business case involved four phases and a series of tasks:

Phase 1: Project Inception

Project Inception Meeting

Document Review

Phase 2: Demand Analysis

Operational Audit

Stakeholder Engagement

Population/Participation Analysis

Customer Research

Market Analysis

Aquatic Facility Trends

Gap Analysis Report

Phase 3: Site Analysis

Site Investigations

Siting Options Paper

Options Workshop

Phase 4: Business Case

Functional Brief

Concept Plan and Cost Estimates

Draft Business Case

Presentation

Stakeholder and Community Consultation

Council Forum