Lavington Swim Centre

An extensive community consultation process, led by Jasmax and Albury City Council, shaped the brief for the development. Residents of Lavington and North Albury participated through drop-in sessions held at the Swim Centre and local shopping centre, while an online ​‘Have Your Say’ survey extended the reach of consultation. Multiple stakeholder groups, including the facility operator, sports associations, local resident and community groups, were also engaged through focus groups conducted over several months. The strong public response, demonstrated through attendance at sessions and over 400 survey submissions, reflected a high level of community interest. Feedback provided valuable insights into how the existing facility is used, its shortcomings and its most valued features. This input has been instrumental in ensuring the Council’s investment decisions are shaped for and with the community. 

Community priorities included enhanced support for swim training and competitions, health and fitness activities, changing facilities, maintaining existing shade trees, consideration of water play, programmes such as learn-to-swim opportunities for the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population and remedial water therapy programs for seniors, alongside an additional pool to support the growth of water polo and aquatic team sports. 

Part of the wider Jelbart Park Sports Precinct, the Swim Centre is adjacent to sports fields, offering opportunities for shared amenity. The masterplan aims to maximise the functionality and utility of the site to serve a wide range of community sports and recreational users, including neighbouring soccer and softball clubs. In addition to enlarging the main pool to a ten-lane, Olympic-standard pool and constructing a new water polo pool, the most ambitious option considers a multi-sport pavilion, designed to be accessed both through the aquatic centre and directly from the Jelbart Park.

This pavilion will offer change facilities for players and officials, supporting the needs of clubs using the adjacent fields while also accommodating major aquatic events. By meeting both immediate community requirements and broader regional demand, the new amenities will strengthen patronage and become a valued asset.