BlackwaterAquaticCentre

The multi award winning $14M Blackwater Aquatic Centre was specifically designed to provide the local community a long-term, value-for-money investment that is of high quality, with minimal operating costs, and which ultimately provides a facility built to comply with Swimming Australia and FINA standards, and Royal Life Saving Society guidelines.

Built on a carefully selected greenfield site, the centre includes a 25m heated pool, a 50m unheated Olympic standard pool, and a covered kids' 'splash pad' play area with a range of water features, as well as associated amenities and administration facilities. The design intent was based on the idea of an oasis and incorporates environmental sustainability principles, including a 30kW solar farm, three rainwater harvesting tanks of 27kL capacity each, a bio-filtration system to naturally treat stormwater run-off, and water tanks for water re-use. Hutchies coordinated the construction of 528m² of rammed earth walls which were especially made for the centre from locally sourced materials and designed to passively control the temperature of the facility's buildings.

The pools themselves are a pre-fabricated modular design known as 'Myrtha', which was developed in Europe. The patented system uses stainless steel panels laminated with a special rigid PVC membrane on the inside surface, and buttressing at each panel joint. The system provides a level of waterproofing and strength that diminishes potential issues often associated with traditional concrete pools.

Despite a minor delay, the project was completed within budget and our client – the local Council – was delighted with the outcome.

2018 AIA QLD State Awards Public Architecture FDG Stanley Award

2018 AIA QLD State Awards Sustainable Architecture Award

2017 MBA Project of the Year for Central Queensland

2017 MBA Award for Sporting Facilities