Case Studies
Cockburn ARC

Design Feature

Type of project
Infrastructure, Playground
State
Western Australia
Location
Urban
The construction of the Cockburn Aquatic and Recreation Centre (Cockburn ARC) began in 2014, in response to a growing need for a high-quality health facility in the rapidly expanding Cockburn community. The innovative development located in Cockburn’s Central West district serves as the new leading Aquatic and Recreation Centre, boasting first class sport and recreation amenities, and is the home of the Fremantle Dockers. The Centre employs more than 300 staff members, and provides recreational opportunities that encourage a healthy and active lifestyle for community residents. As one of the largest developments of its kind in Australia, Cockburn ARC is a significant contribution to Perth residents in the South Metropolitan Corridor. 
A state-of-the-art facility
Funded by the State and Federal Governments; and in collaboration with the Fremantle Dockers and Curtin University, this mixed-use facility hosts a variety of state-of-the-art services, including indoor, outdoor and speciality pools; a spa and sauna; a six-court sports stadium, and a fully equipped gym. Additionally, it offers community facilities including a crèche, indoor play centre and a café. Furthermore, the Centre provides educational resources via lecture theatres, health and wellness consulting suites, sports medicine facilities, meeting and function rooms.
The development reflects several design features that promote community health and wellbeing:
  • The incorporation of health, community and educational resources provides a mixed-use facility that enhances access and service provision in the Cockburn Central West District.
  • The Centre generates a sense of place via a feature of three waterslides that act as a landmark in the area.
  • The incorporation of a main-street design, public parks, picnic areas and a café creates a public space that contributes to the recreational, physical and social needs of the community.
  • The facility is located 600 metres from the Cockburn train station promoting a connected movement network that supports active transport and physical activity.

Project team
  • State and Federal Governments
  • Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
  • City of Cockburn
  • Fremantle Dockers
  • Curtin University

Project Cost
$109 Million 
Health value
  • The inclusion of eight swimming pools, a gym featuring cardio and strength equipment, functional training zone and outdoor training terrace (all equipped with the latest in fitness technology) allows Cockburn ARC to successfully encourage positive health behaviours in the community.
  • The facility also employs a variety of allied health professionals who assist in supporting community health and wellbeing.
  • Importantly, the variety of services on offer enable participation by individuals of all ages and abilities.

Economic Value
  • The project is a worthwhile investment; employing over 300 staff members and servicing over 1.4 community members a year.

Environmental Value
  • Cockburn ARC has a geothermal system and injection bores, which provide energy to heat the swimming pools and water play areas. This system provides 72% less greenhouse gas emissions, a saving of 492 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Social Value
The facility provides recreational opportunities that add social value to the area including:
  • a central location for community members to engage with one another;
  • providing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to participate in social sport and fitness;
  • creating a meeting place through the provision of a café, public open spaces, a crèche, play centre and water play area.

Use Value
  • The facility generates value in its mixed-use offerings. In addition to public fitness facilities, the Centre creates a community meeting place with parks and
  • picnic areas, and supports educational and professional engagement via meeting rooms, community classrooms and a lecture theatre.
  • The Centre also provides a training home ground for the Fremantle Dockers and has partnered with Curtin University to provide student training facilitates.

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