RAF moves to next stage

Councillors have given approval for the proposed Recreation Aquatic Facility (RAF) project to progress to the next stage of the future world class regional health, fitness and recreation centre.

City of South Perth Mayor Greg Milner said at the November Council Meeting, Councillors endorsed the Business Plan for public comment and approved a financial commitment of $20 million to match $20 million already promised by the Federal Government.

“The City will now seek additional funding required for the $80 million project through other project partners, to progress the project to the design phase of the proposed world class facility.

“I believe this next stage represents the best option for our community. The proposed RAF is the biggest project undertaken by the City and it has the potential to provide enormous social, physical and health related benefits for our community.

“It is important to note, that the proposed RAF is based on the assumption the facility will be financially self-sustaining and will not result in an increase in Council rates.

“The City will carry out further due diligence, engaging suitable independent and relevant industry and financial experts with respect to financial modelling, key operation assumptions, operating cashflows and usage projections, which will be reported back to Council.

“The Business Plan will be advertised for public comment from Friday 27 November. Stakeholders, including the local community will have until 5pm, Friday 22 January 2021 to provide feedback on the Business Plan.

“Stakeholder and community engagement to date identified a high level of support for the proposed RAF. A total of 1,641 people took part in the online survey with 87% of respondents from around the City indicating they would be likely to use the facility if it was built.

“Following the latest public comment period, a report will be presented to Council at the meeting in February 2021, where it will be determined whether to proceed with implementing the Business Plan,” Mayor Milner said. 

Background

The RAF will provide the swimming pool that the local community have long been asking for, along with a hydrotherapy pool, 6-8 indoor sports courts, a climbing wall, gym, high tech golf driving range, mini golf, meeting and function rooms, a café and restaurant.

The RAF will set a new benchmark as a word class facility, catering to the City of South Perth community and surrounding area, from families to students, couples and seniors. It will be a socially inclusive one stop destination.

The RAF will integrate with the existing 18 hole golf course to provide improved, sustainable golf options catering for the emerging trend towards shorter and alternative format golf. A traditional 18 hole par 72 course will be retained with the Pines and Island nines unchanged. The Lakes nine will be remodelled to a nine hole par 31 short course. Other golf options will include a high tech double storey golf driving range with food and beverage facilities, mini-golf and a pro-shop.

The strong community desire for an aquatic centre, a general lack of adequate indoor sporting facilities in the area and the need to consider and plan for the ongoing viability and long-term use of a number of ageing community facilities has led the City of South Perth to initiate the RAF project.

Collier Park Golf Course has been chosen because of its central and highly accessible location, including the proximity to public transport, namely the Curtin central bus station. Integrating a pool with a number of other facilities increases the potential to attract government and private sector funding, improves visitation numbers and makes the facility a more financially viable proposition.

The project has grown from the City’s Strategic Community Plan 2020-2030 (SCP). A key strategy of the SCP is to plan for and promote the development of recreation and aquatic facilities to service City of South Perth needs.

For more information on the RAF project click here.