Craigie Leisure Centre’s $9.1 million facelift
It’s a new era at Craigie Leisure Centre after completing a $9.1 million refurbishment project that has the centre vying for the title of Perth’s best leisure and aquatic facility.
The refurbishment was designed by architects Hodge Collard Preston with the State Government contributing $2.9 million towards the overall project.
BE Constructions undertook the refurbishment in two parts. Construction commenced in August 2021.
The second stage of the project, which opened on Monday 15 May, included a significant expansion of the gym area. Located across one floor, the gym has more than doubled in size from 500sqm to 1200sqm.
This allows for new small group training (35 classes weekly). More than 130 Les Mills, freestyle, wellness, yoga and meditation classes will be held each week in the group fitness, wellness and indoor cycle studios.
The gym now features different coloured zones, new flooring, changerooms and lockers, 12 TVs, a running track, a dedicated stretch area (80sqm) and all abilities equipment.
More than 60 additional pieces of gym equipment have been purchased, from 80 to more than 140. This includes new Technogym strength equipment, including plate-loaded and pin-loaded machines. Members have access to more free weights, cable machines and cardio equipment.
In the first of its kind in a publicly accessible gym in WA, improved technology within the equipment will allow users to track and automatically adjust their workouts.
The 225sqm wellness studio replicates the group fitness studio, including stage, lighting and enhanced audio-visual features. This area will house a range of wellness and other group fitness classes.
More car parking bays – from 400 to over 550, incorporating 12 ACROD, 10 senior and 11 ‘parents with prams’ bays – will make it easier than ever for patrons to find a parking spot.
Membership numbers, currently sitting at 4,700, are expected to increase to 7,000 by 2029.
The first stage of the refurbishment was launched in April 2022, with members and visitors providing positive feedback over the past 12 months.
This initial component included the relocation and extension of the group fitness studio, cycle studio and creche, the formalisation of the overflow car park area at the western end of the centre and additional parking on the northern side.
The centre is also home to the City’s latest public artwork, Horizontal Shift – Breathing Pattern, 2022, which comes courtesy of Eveline Kotai.
Quote from Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacob:
This modern, spacious and aesthetically pleasing venue is now one of the premier community leisure and aquatic facilities in Western Australia.
This is a significant investment into our community’s physical and mental health and well-being.
We are committed to fostering health and fitness opportunities for our residents and the wider community, and this refurbishment will ensure facilities at Craigie continue to keep pace with current and future industry trends.
The City, through its management of Craigie Leisure Centre, is recognised as an industry leader in the provision of community leisure and aquatic facilities and services. This world-class facility only enhances that reputation.
What won’t change at Craigie Leisure Centre is the people and the family-friendly environment. For more than three decades, this centre has been unmatched when it comes to the relationship between those who use our facilities and those who work here, our people. That bond will remain.
Quote from Hillarys MLA Caitlin Collins:
I’m so pleased the McGowan Labor Government has delivered on my election commitment of $2.9 million towards the upgrade of the popular Craigie Leisure Centre. It’s been a pleasure to witness the progress of Craigie’s beloved family fitness and recreation venue.
We all know how popular sport is with local families, and these major upgrades will make sure that people in our community continue to have a wonderful facility to use for years to come.