The new Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre will contain the first all-electric aquatic centre in Australia, cutting energy use by up to 80 per cent.
Brimbank Council has welcomed $1.53 million in Australian Government funding towards an integrated renewable energy system, as part of the new $60 million-plus centre currently being built in Keilor Downs.
The Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre is on target to be built to world-leading ‘6 Star Green Star’ rating, and is expected to use up to 80 per cent less energy than traditional aquatic centres.
Shifting away from traditional gas boilers used to heat and cool water and air at other aquatic centres, the centre will instead install an all-electric heat-pump system for heating and cooling.
It will also use an 88,000 litre hot water storage system that acts as a big ‘thermal battery’, and 500 kW of solar panels.
When the rooftop solar panels are generating power, this will power the heat pump system to heat and cool the centre. Any additional electricity needed will be purchased through a 100 per cent renewable energy power purchase agreement.
Construction of the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre is well underway and on track for completion in mid-2022. Located on Taylors Road, Keilor Downs, it will replace the old St Albans Leisure Centre which was demolished in August 2020.
The state-of-the-art centre will feature a 50 metre, 10 lane swimming pool, two massive water slides, wellness centre, 24 hour gym, community program room and more.
Council successfully applied for funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Advancing Renewables Program to fund a sustainable, all-electric heat pump option, rather than conventional gas heat pumps for the project.
