Pinjarra provides benchmark. (#783)

Some readers have expressed surprise that the Pinjarra aquatic centre (Issue #782) cost $7.235m to build and have asked how the community managed to find such a large sum.  Others have questioned why this particular facility is relevant to Denmark.  The short answer to both questions is that it provides a current benchmark for ‘bang-for-your-buck’ and where to find the dollars!

Until relatively recently, the Shire of Murray would have had to find 2/3 of the project cost – relying on a successful grant application to the Department of Sport and Recreation [DSR] for the 1/3 balance.  However, government sources are currently more generous and, under the most favourable conditions, the applicant may have to find only 1/6 of the capital cost.  Up to half of this can be “in-kind” rather than cash. 

So what can you get for your money?  Readers will recall that in 2010, as part of the Feasibility Study, the Shire of Denmark circulated a questionnaire inviting comment on its preferred configurations.  The consensus view was that a facility in Denmark should have a hydrotherapy pool, a 25m multi-lane lap swimming pool (6- or 8-lanes) and a small toddlers’ pool.  The Pinjarra complex has all of these.  Its hydrotherapy pool is 6x10m.  It has a 25m 8-lane lap pool and a generously featured leisure pool.

Clearly, the Pinjarra facility has all the features we’d like to see in  Denmark  Less evident, but very important, is the fact that it has three totally independent water circulation and purification systems.  Each can be run at the temperature best suited to user needs:  say 34°C for the therapy (and ‘Mum’s and Bubs’ pool), 29°C for the leisure pool and 24-26°C for the lap swimmers.  Any one of the three circuits can be closed for servicing or simply independently scheduled to match user needs as they develop.

Functionally, the Pinjarra facility is a deluxe version of what might be needed in Denmark.  But if we went for the Rolls rather than the Holden what would it cost to build in Denmark?  The downturn in construction activity between Dec-08 & Jan-11 resulted in a negligible change (0.4%) in the Perth Building Cost index in this interval.  Assuming that the tender date for Pinjarra was mid-2009, and we could sign a contract in mid-2012, the same facility could cost about $7.92M allowing for extra country allowances in our area (20%) compared to Pinjarra (10%).  In the most favourable case, the minimum applicant’s share of this would be about $1.32M, half of which could be ‘in-kind’. 

In the next issue we’ll compare this estimate with the architect’s concept plan for an aquatic centre in Denmark – its configuration and its estimated cost.

Site plan of proposed Denmark Aquatic Centre showing the existing Recreation Centre, the south end of the footy oval and overflow car parking at the rear

Cyril Edwards, Vice President DACCI.

Bulletin #782. May 26 - 9 June, 2011