Building Less to Gain More: The BayFit Leisure Centre

Applicant Name: Hobsons Bay City Council

Project Summary:

As part of the BayFit Leisure Centre redevelopment, potable water will be saved through substitution with stormwater from the BayFit Leisure Centre roof and surrounding landscapes piped into the existing 25m lap pool that will be converted to a tank for storage before being pumped into the centres new pools. Collected water will be chlorinated and later reused for topping up the centre’s new swimming pools.

The Project is part of the redevelopment of the Leisure Centre with an ideal opportunity to install innovative water conservation measures while implementing a complete Environmental Strategy package from Hobsons Bay City Council.

The Project will reduce potable water by 7.9ML/yr through the use of stormwater for filling and topping up new pools, installation of AAA rated shower heads and dual flush toilets. By finding a use for the old pool that would have otherwise been demolished, the overall environmental impact of redevelopment, demolition waste sent to landfill and materials
needed for construction are greatly minimised.

The harvested rainwater for swimming pools will have a positive effect on water chemistry, as rainwater has low chemical concentrations, total dissolved solids (TDS) and salts. The Project also provides energy conservation measures; appropriate lighting, sensor control and
use of heat exchangers to withdraw heat from water being backwashed to the air conditioning system. The Project will produce a video displayed at the Centre detailing how the stormwater collection system works.

The Project demonstrates the importance of conserving water and innovative measures to the wider leisure and aquatic centre industry, and community at a site which traditionally consumes a high amount of water.

The Project will be completed in December 2007.

Project Costing:
Total Project Cost: $65,000
Total Grant Funding: $32,500
Total Water Substituted or Saved: 7.9 ML per annum (Potable saved by 3.44 ML Stormwater and 4.5ML Water Conservation)

Contact: Matt Aquilina, Hobsons Bay City Council 03 9932 1142