WSLSC Renovation Update #3

In consultation with the WSLSC Development Advisory Committee, the WSLSC board has been working with Hobsons Bay City Council, the Victorian State Government via the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) and Life Saving Victoria (LSV) to develop concept plans for the future upgrade of the Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club facility.

Following the State Government’s announcement of $11.3 million towards the redevelopment in 2021, Council has led a process to appoint appropriate architectural services to undertake the detailed feasibility, investigation and design work needed to properly cost and scope the project. Council has also committed $3 million towards the redevelopment.

 The original conceptual plans developed to attract Government funding included options for a new swimming pool onsite. Unfortunately, due to the increase in costs of materials, construction and professional services required to deliver the redevelopment since the funding commitment, the option to include a new swimming pool as part of the redevelopment is not feasible within the available budget. With our unique heritage as a Swimming and Lifesaving club, this is disappointing to all. However, within the progressing redevelopment designs, a steam room has been incorporated for member use which includes our ever-growing open water swimming contingent.

In consultation with all project stakeholders, it is agreed to proceed with upgrades that can be delivered within the available project budget, and meet our key objectives to deliver the core lifesaving requirements the Club needs to serve the community for many years to come.

The concept plans were approved at a Council meeting on Tuesday 10 October 2023. The next step is to provide feedback over an eight-week public exhibition period, commencing on Saturday 14 October 2023. The plans are available via the October Council Meeting Agenda at this link.

The public exhibition period is being managed by Hobsons Bay on their online feedback portal Participate. The below Participate Hobsons Bay link will be live for eight weeks from Saturday 14 October to 10 December 2023 where members and community are encouraged to provide feedback.

https://participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/wslsc

If you would like to discuss the plans and provide your feedback in person, Council is hosting three drop-in sessions. Details below:

1. 21 October 2023 from 10am to Noon on the Esplanade adjacent to Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club
2. 12 November 2023 from 9am to 2pm at the Roberson Reserve Farmers Market
3. 12 November 2023 from 9am to 11am on the Esplanade adjacent to Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club 

 Concurrently, Council also has concept plans for upgrades to open space areas along the Williamstown Foreshore Precinct and a Rifle Range Planting Plan on public exhibition for feedback. Links to these concept plans with opportunities for feedback can be found on the link below.

 https://participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/williamstown

 We encourage you all to view the concept plans for all three projects and provide your feedback as part of the public exhibition period which is open until Sunday 10 December 2023.