Stirling Leisure – Inglewood is now home to the largest public outdoor lap pool in the Southern Hemisphere with the facilities set to open on 2 September.
Stirling Leisure – Inglewood is now home to the largest public outdoor lap pool in the Southern Hemisphere with the facilities set to open on 2 September.
The cutting-edge facility features a lap pool heated to 27.5 degrees, holding 2.5 million litres of water. It includes ten 50m-lanes and four 25m-lanes, all surrounded by a new concourse, landscaping and LED lighting.
In a Western Australian first, the revamped complex uses artificial intelligence (AI) powered anti-drowning CCTV technology, Lynxight. The AI based software analyses patterns of distress in the water and accelerates lifeguard response up to six times faster through smartwatch alerts, pinpointing the distressed swimmer in the pool.
The aquatic centre offers new features aimed at improving access and comfort to all users. A key addition is the installation of new shade sails to increase sun safety by giving swimmers the option to swim in the shade. Two new water access ramps into the main outdoor pool and the Learners pool have been added to enhance accessibility, complete with two water wheelchairs available for use.
Another new feature is the submersible swim wall, which can be raised or lowered in minutes and used to split the 50m-lanes into two 25m-lanes. This allows activities such as lap swimming and water polo to take place at the same time.
The facility also features public artwork by artists Chris Nixon and Andrew Frazer, incorporating colourful designs on the front walls of the freshly painted 1,000-seat grandstand, creating a bold and eye-catching look. The design draws on their own nostalgia for summertime swims, long days around the public pool, frozen bananas, ice creams and that post-swim feeling.
Acting Mayor Councillor Suzanne Migdale said completing the outdoor pool redevelopment represented a significant milestone.
“Since its inception in 1967, Stirling Leisure – Inglewood has transformed into a one-of-a-kind aquatic facility. The upgrades mark an exciting new era, with this much-needed rejuvenation of a pool that had reached the end of its 50-year life,” she said.
“It will be a high-quality facility we hope the community will enjoy for years to come, incorporating extensive upgrades to ensure an unparalleled aquatic experience for the next generation. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the largest public outdoor lap pool in the Southern Hemisphere.”
The City received $1 million from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) towards the project.
The Hon. Lisa Baker MLA, and member for Maylands said she is delighted to see the Inglewood pool completed in time for summer.
"It is always popular and busy in summer and now with these upgrades, it is more inclusive and accessible for everyone," she said.
One of three City aquatic facilities, Stirling Leisure – Inglewood attracted 586,492 admissions in 2023/24, with attendance projected to increase to over 730,000 following the redevelopment. Comparatively there were more than 389,000 admissions in Stirling Leisure – Scarborough Beach and over 401,000 admissions to Stirling Leisure – Balga Aquatic Centre last year.
All three facilities are accredited as Gold under Water Corporation’s Waterwise Aquatic Centre Program.
Question and answers
What does the redevelopment include?
- A new 14-lane pool, now the largest outdoor public lap pool in the Southern Hemisphere, which can accommodate up to approximately 250 swimmers
- Two swim walls in the lap pool to allow the conversion of 50m-lanes into 25m-lanes
- A new Learners pool with shade sails
- AI drowning detection technology, with the City the first in WA to use it
- Grassed park, landscaping and BBQ area added to the outdoor area
- New shade sails over parts of the lap pool, offering swimmers the option to swim in shade
- Brand new plant room with new filters and equipment with a salt system to remove the need for chlorine gas, removing all remnants of the 1967 facility
- Two new outdoor showers
- Umbrellas for sun protection
- LED lights.
How does the AI powered anti-drowning technology work?
Lynxight applies AI to above water CCTV to increase a lifeguard’s perspective of what’s happening above and below the water, enabling response time up to six times faster than with conventional observation.
What are the features of the new swim walls in the lap pool?
Two 5-lane-wide swim walls can be raised or lowered in a few minutes. One or both walls can be used to split the 50m-lanes into 25m-lanes. The swim wall also allows the facility to safely have a 30m water polo game or two 25m water polo games at the same time as having 10 x 25m-lanes available for swimming.
How deep are the new pools?
The 50m-lanes have depths ranging from 1.2m to 2m, the 25m-lanes maintain a consistent depth of 2m and the Learners pool averages a depth of 1m.
What is the capacity at Stirling Leisure – Inglewood outdoor pool?
The outdoor pool complex is designed to welcome a substantial number of guests. The expansive outdoor area can comfortably accommodate up to 2,000 individuals including spectators. The lap pool has the capacity for approximately 250 swimmers. For those learning to swim or rehabilitating, the Learners pool provides a safe space and can hold 30 swimmers. The newly painted grandstand can seat around 1,000 spectators and visitors.
How long did it take to fill the pool?
It took three weeks to fill the pool with 2.5 million litres of water, which will be protected by a pool blanket nightly to minimise evaporation and maintain temperature. The lap pool is maintained at a comfortable 27.5 degrees, while the Leaners pool is warmer at 31 degrees, heated by condensing gas boilers.
How many hours will the aquatic facility be open to the public?
The facility boasts the longest operating hours of any aquatic centre in Western Australia, open 107 hours per week in the summer and over 99.5 hours in winter.
How many members does the Stirling Leisure – Inglewood currently have?
Stirling Leisure – Inglewood proudly serves over 3,200 members, this includes gym and water use members. The upgrades are expected to increase capacity to 3,800 members.
What is the to entry fee for Stirling Leisure – Inglewood?
A family swim ticket at Stirling Leisure – Inglewood is $21.20, which covers two adults and two children or one adult and three children. The entry fee for children over the age of two is $5.20 and $8.00 for adults (16 years plus). Adult swim plus, which includes access to the spa and sauna, is $14.30. Entry fees for concession swim is $6.00 and concession swim plus is $11.00. Spectator entry is free.
How much did the redevelopment of Stirling Leisure – Inglewood cost?
Stage one involved retiling the internal pool concourse, extensively refurbishing the indoor pools, upgrading the indoor pool plant, and renovating the changing rooms and spa area. This phase was completed in April 2022 at a cost of $2 million.
Stage two, costing $12.5 million, included the construction of a new outdoor lap pool and a Leaners pool, installation of new pool plant equipment, the addition of shade sails, two new showers, two swim walls and enhancements to the pool area.
How does the plant room work?
The plant is powered by gas (heating) and electricity. The existing solar power of 200kw PV has reduced the facility’s electrical usage by 270,000kw hours in 2023-24.
For more information on the project, visit the redevelopment page.
