Judges' Comments

The judges were pleased to note that this facility upgrade truly services the needs of the local community with its multiple indoor and outdoor pools, childcare, café, meeting rooms and fitness and support facilities.

Visitors are welcomed by the striking architecture offset against the bushland setting and significantly improved parking arrangements. It was noted that heating and cooling through the use of large sliding doors is augmented by the development of a geothermal bore, not only providing significant cost savings and greenhouse gas abatement, but ensuring that the aquatic centre is able to be utilised all year round.

The City of Armadale is to be commended for securing much-needed government funding for this major upgrade to facilities that have the capacity to transform the broader Armadale community. The judges were particularly impressed by the community’s ready response and noted that affordability of pool membership arrangements has resulted in a dramatic increase in patronage with engagement far exceeding expectations.