On this page
We’re redeveloping the Kew Recreation Centre to transform it into a modern facility for people of all ages and abilities. The new facility will cater to a wide range of our community’s health and wellbeing needs.
Latest news
Community update: November 2024
Together with our community, we want to see the new Kew Recreation Centre completed. We’re glad to see progress is now being made towards delivering our community what was promised.
Construction update
ADCO is the construction company engaged by Council to build the Kew Recreation Centre.
ADCO is in the final stages of demolishing and removing the remaining steel frame from the site. The replacement steel for the new structure is expected to arrive by early-2025. In January, ADCO is also expected to prepare the site for the rebuild, including rectification of the concrete damaged in the collapse.
At this stage, ADCO has advised Council that it expects construction of the new centre to be completed by the end of 2026.
We are working with all parties to ensure that the project is delivered as soon as possible. Safety remains the top priority and assurance processes are in place for the project to ensure this.
Council meeting update
Council considered the following notice of motion:
- to prepare a report on replacing gas heating with heat pump technology at the Kew Recreation Centre, including the feasibility, cost and implications
- to request ADCO delays buying gas boilers and associated infrastructure until further direction is given by Council.
Council adopted the notice of motion, and officers are now working on the report. The report is expected to be presented at a Council meeting in February 2025.
Investigations and charges for the collapse of the steel roof structure
WorkSafe Victoria has laid charges over the collapse of the steel roof structure at the Kew Recreation Centre. It announced the charges against the builder, ADCO, and its facade subcontractor, Colab Building Tech, on 17 October 2024. This follows a 2-year investigation. You can read more about the charges in WorkSafe Victoria’s media release.
WorkSafe Victoria alleges that it was reasonably practicable to have a competent person check the quality assurance documents provided for an imported steel truss, to ensure that it had been welded in accordance with the design drawings and fabrication requirements.
We’re paying close attention to information released by WorkSafe Victoria relating to its prosecution. The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has not released the results of its separate investigation.
While WorkSafe Victoria’s prosecution and investigations by the VBA continue, we remain unable to make further comment on the cause and responsibilities for the collapse.
Project and construction information
Below is a high-level overview of ADCO’s construction timeline. It is subject to change. Subscribe to our mailing list to receive more regular updates about activity progressing at the site.
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| October - December 2024 | ADCO is demolishing and removing the remaining steel from the site. |
| Throughout 2025 | Replacement steel for the new structure is planned to arrive in early-2025. From January, ADCO will prepare the site, including rectification of the concrete which was damaged in the collapse and rebuilding the steel frame structure. |
| From late-2025 to late-2026 | Construct and fit out the building, install services and complete all external works. |
| Late-2026 | Construction is expected to be completed. |
Community consultation
We worked closely with our community across 3 stages of consultation to ensure the new facility meets their needs. Your feedback helped us design a modern, fun and engaging facility which caters to a wide range of our community’s health and wellbeing needs.
What we heard
There were a number of key topics and themes that arose during consultation.
Aquatics
You told us you wanted more water spaces for different activities, such as warm water exercise and rehabilitation, swimming lessons and children’s play in addition to lap swimming. We prioritised adding in these programmable spaces and a 25m lap pool over a single 50m lap pool.
Sauna
You told us how much you love the sauna, so in addition to a bigger and better one in the new centre we have added a sauna facility to the Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre too.
Aqua play
We have created a fun and colourful aqua play area with a large slide and a wide array of splash pad features to entertain children of all ages, because we heard how important this area was to you.
Childcare
You told us how valuable a childcare facility is, so this service remains along with a new outdoor play area to support families’ health and wellbeing needs.
Parking
Improved and accessible underground car parking was added to increase parking capacity, along with additional bicycle parking.
What we’re delivering
The previous facility was in poor condition and didn’t meet our community’s needs. The new centre will allow our community to:
- improve and maintain their health and wellbeing
- play team sports
- connect with others
- meet specialised health needs.
Main features
The new centre will include:
- a dedicated learn-to-swim pool for swimming lessons
- a secluded warm water pool for gentle exercise and rehabilitation
- an aqua play area for young people to play and explore
- an onsite childcare with outdoor play area
- bigger change rooms that cater for individuals, groups and families
- 2 indoor sports courts providing much needed space for a range of local participants
- a large gym and functional training areas
- allied health suites to support your health and wellness goals
- divided health and fitness areas for both ‘noisy’ and ‘quiet’ group exercise classes
- landscaped forecourt and café to meet, gather and socialise
- increased parking onsite
- a party room.
Accessibility features
The new centre will be more accessible to people of all abilities and includes:
- a dedicated office and activity space for Boroondara Stroke Support Group
- larger change rooms that can cater for families and school groups
- more car parking options, including accessible parking and wider spaces for prams
- stair and lift access from the undercover car park
- a fully accessible spa via ramp access
- a sensory room to suit families with a range of needs and abilities.
Sustainability features
The new centre has several environmentally friendly and sustainable design elements, including:
- 500 KW solar panel system
- high-performance insulation, glazing and air-tightness to reduce energy consumption
- storage of the pool wastewater to be reused for toilet flushing
- water-efficient fittings and fixtures
- rainwater harvesting to be re-used for landscape irrigation.
Watch the 3D fly-through of our final design
You can watch the fly-through of our final design on the City of Boroondara YouTube channel.
Where to go while the centre is under construction
Kew Recreation Centre members have reciprocal rights to use our other Boroondara Leisure and Aquatic Facilities, including:
- Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre
- Boroondara Sports Complex
- Ashburton Pool and Recreation Centre.
For more information, visit YMCA’s Kew Recreation Centre redevelopment page.
Steel roof structure collapse information
Below is timeline which summarises key events relating to the collapse of the steel roof structure at the Kew Recreation Centre site.
| Time | Update |
|---|---|
| October 2022 | A section of the steel roof structure at the Kew Recreation Centre construction site partially collapsed. No one was hurt and the collapse occurred after normal working hours. Investigations by WorkSafe Victoria and the VBA into the cause of the collapse commenced, and WorkSafe Victoria immediately exercised its powers to prohibit access to, and further works on the site. |
| February 2023 | WorkSafe Victoria approved a methodology for the builder, ADCO, to safely dismantle the collapsed sections of the steel roof structure under their supervision. |
| May 2023 | ADCO completed dismantling and removing the collapsed sections of the steel roof structure. This did not include all of the steel which had been installed on site and that did not collapse. |
| October 2023 | Minor works were completed around the site in response to community requests, including reinstating the footpath and residential parking on Disraeli Street and intersection visibility improvements at High Street and Derby Place. |
| April 2024 | Following a period of review of the design by the structural engineer engaged on the project ACOR, and reissuing of a new design, an amended building permit was issued, and the Municipal Building Surveyor lifted their Stop Work Order on the site. ADCO was issued instructions to commence final site preparation, procurement of new materials, and to begin construction. |
| 9 September 2024 | On Monday 9 September 2024 at the Services Delegated Committee Meeting, Councillors unanimously passed a resolution that empowered Council to take any step necessary to ensure the completion of the project one way or another. |
| 12 September 2024 | ADCO advised Council:
Our CEO, Phillip Storer, shared a message to the community which you can read here. |
| 17 October 2024 | WorkSafe Victoria issued charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 against construction company ADCO Group Pty Limited and façade subcontractor Colab Building Tech Pty Ltd in relation to the collapse of the steel roof structure at the Kew Recreation Centre. You can read about the charges in WorkSafe Victoria’s media release. |
| October 2024 - current | ADCO is demolishing and removing the remaining steel from the site. Replacement steel for the new structure is planned to arrive in December. |
More information
For information, contact our team on (03) 9278 4444 or email [email protected]
To receive updates on this project via email, subscribe to our mailing list.