On July 20, 2022, Logan City Council made a decision to permanently close the Eagleby Aquatic Centre and decommission the ageing infrastructure.
The vote to do this was done in the City Lifestyle Committee meeting where it was voted on by the 12 councillors and mayor. Cr Karen Murphy led the vote to keep the facility open and was supported by less than a majority of councillors meaning it failed the bid and the facility was closed.
A subsequent decision on 23 November 2022, to request a report outlining potential future uses of the beach entry pool facility was made and a concept plan has been developed by the Parks Branch to outline for council a long-term vision for the site (Stage 2 Plan).
Parks Branch has further designed a shorter term plan (Stage 1 Plan) for council’s consideration, taking into account the request made by Council on 23 November 2022.
The Stage 1 Plan and the Stage 2 Plan have been developed having regard to community engagement conducted between August and October 2022 through Community Visioning Pop-ups and a Have Your Say survey.
The infrastructure of the Eagleby Aquatic Centre, located within the Bishop Street Park, includes an outdoor 25 metre leisure pool with beach entry, 25 metre program pool that was damaged by an incident, shaded play equipment, kiosk, plant room and amenities block. The Aquatic Centre was operated as a summer only pool (typically September to March annually) and had limited opening hours.
The Stage 1 Plan consists of reinstating the beach entry pool, installing embellishments such as shade umbrellas, shelters and seating areas and landscaping the existing car park.
This plan was developed using feedback received through community consultation. This option includes repairing and reopening the beach entry pool and associated buildings at the Aquatic Centre until the facility’s end of life (estimated as 5 – 10 years).
This will provide local residents the option of an outdoor pool during the 2023-2024 summer period while the outdoor pool at Beenleigh Aquatic Centre is being redeveloped. The estimated cost for the Stage 1 Plan is $114,250 and estimated to take 6-8 months to complete meaning it will be ready for summer next year.
The Stage 2 Plan consists of replacing the Program Pool and the Beach Entry pool with a Water Park, ninja exercise circuit fitness equipment, “Tree Trail” access path connecting Stanbridge Street to Cowper Avenue, and “Tree Trail” access path connecting amenities for Eagleby Giants with Nature Playground and existing sporting fields.
The complete redevelopment of the site has been estimated to take two years and the estimated cost for completion of the Stage 2 Plan is $6.25 million (including insurance reimbursements and without inflation considered). It has been identified that no budget exists for the embellishments or the redevelopment of Bishop Street Park.
This report was made public this week and is yet to be voted on by the council in the City Lifestyle Committee meeting to be held on March 15 at 9am.
