Building Low Cost Aquatic Centres
Description
Aquatic centres have become some of local government’s most desirable but least affordable assets. How these projects are planned, built and funded needs closer attention as projects have skyrocketed in price.
Designs have become bloated, costs blow out and the functionality of centres gets 'value managed' out of projects. It doesn't need to be this way; there are excellent examples of completed centres in Australia where targets were hit and ratepayers are happy.
This seminar investigates the challenges in building aquatic centres at lower cost and provides recommendations from experts who have proven track records in delivering projects on time, within budget and fit for purpose.
Session 1 - The Elephant in the Pool
9.40am-10.50am
New aquatic centres have become some of local government’s most complex and expensive projects, with many slipping from community asset to financial headache as capital costs escalate. This session explains how the standard council planning and procurement process unintentionally fuels over‑design and cost escalation, drawing on recent Victorian and interstate examples. It finishes with clear, implementable recommendations – from reference designs and pre-fabricated components to stronger cost gateways – for delivering lower‑cost, right‑sized aquatic facilities.
Presenters - Anton Borg and Simon Brooks
Session 2 - The Design Process - Building better not bigger
11.10am-12.40pm
This session explores how aquatic centres can be planned, designed and delivered with lower capital costs while protecting long-term operational performance. Drawing on real-world examples, attendees will gain practical insights into developing and aligning scope with budget, reducing unnecessary complexity, and making smarter CAPEX decisions that directly lower OPEX, energy consumption and whole-of-life operating costs for aquatic facilities.
Presenters - Michael Cook and Shane Stodden
Lunch 12.40pm-1.20pm
Session 3 - The Devil is in the Detail
1.20pm -3.20pm
Glazing performance and how it can cost less, plant room templates and poly-source energy systems that use Natural Refrigerants. Experts discuss alternatives that reduce CAPEX and OPEX for owners and reduce the amount of money that has to be sourced.
Presenters - Dr Jonathan Duverge, Rudolf (Rudi) Frey, John Mandelt, Tony Kimpton, Stefan Jensen and Elie Haddad
Session 4 - The Design Process - Final Design Recommendations
3.20pm-4.00pm
This session summarises the key points from earlier sessions to provide a guide that can be used by decision makers to start their aquatic centre project with confidence in the outcomes.
Presenters - Michael Cook, Shane Stodden and Tony Kimpton
Speakers
Michael Cook
Michael Cook is the Founder, Director and Principal Architect of InsightECO, a specialist architecture and sustainability practice delivering high-performance, energy-efficient buildings across Australia. A registered architect in New South Wales and Victoria, Michael has more than 30 years of experience in the design, delivery and operation of complex community, aquatic, industrial and public infrastructure projects. Michael has led the design and refurbishment of numerous aquatic and recreation facilities, with a particular focus on decarbonisation, low-cost construction, operational efficiency and whole-of-life asset performance. His recent work includes the delivery of energy-efficiency upgrades and decarbonisation pathways for multiple Paul Sadler Swimland centres across Victoria, incorporating all-electric heating systems, improved building envelopes, solar PV and heat-pump technologies. The Carrum Downs facility received the ASSA Sustainability Award in 2023. Michael was also the Architectural Project Lead for Fit2Swim Swim School in Sydney, an innovative all-electric aquatic facility designed to operate at approximately one-tenth of the energy consumption of benchmarked centres, achieving a net-zero annual energy bill through superior thermal performance and renewable energy integration. His extensive aquatic portfolio includes several major aquatic and private swim school projects that improve sustainability while meeting client budget and operational objectives. Michael brings a unique perspective that combines architectural design, project delivery and operational performance.
Simon Brooks
Simon's professional life has largely centred around the design and construction of residential projects. He has focussed on efficient design in terms of functionality, life-cycle (maintenance), energy efficiency and meeting budgets. Simon considers that form follows function, however the two should inform each other. There is no excuse for ugly buildings and spaces; good architecture also creates inviting spaces and superior functional experiences. Simon believes in multi-stakeholder co-design in the early stages of a project; bringing in clients/stakeholders and relevant experts to maximise value and minimise preventable issues. Simon's role in Local Government added to this experience and reinforced his project scoping, design and delivery experience and learnings. He continues to strongly advocate for taking a place-based approach to community planning; from urban planning to specific project delivery. Simon has a strong environmental philosophy and is a firm believer in sustainable design in the broadest sense. This extends into advocating for a strong circular economy to build local resilience. Simon sees potential for public facilities to be relevant to place, and be better-designed, delivered and utilised over time. With the Mornington Peninsula having the highest number of people experiencing homelessness in Metro Melbourne Simon recently completed a prototype Tiny House on Wheels in partnership with Rotary, Lions, business and others. This unit is about to house a person in need and will be managed by the Salvation Army. The Shire is working collaboratively with Simon on the regulatory and planning requirements.’ Qualified Carpenter-Joiner (State apprentice of the year 1989) Past MBAV Housing sector committee member Registered residential builder 1992-2016 Bachelor of Design (Arch), Deakin, 2013 Local government Councillor 2016-2020, 2023-2024 (Mayor 2024) Current President of Dromana Association Inc. (community advocacy group); member 2013-current Current Peninsula Community Housing member (NFP community housing projects group) Current Dromana Australia Day committee member and MC.
Anton Borg
Anton Borg is a senior project manager with 22 years’ experience delivering complex building and infrastructure projects, including mission-critical facilities acrossgovernment, education, aerospace and commercial sectors. Born in Malta and originally a precision toolmaker who later studied marine engineering and managed maintenance in processing plants and steam boiler facilities, he has since led high-profile construction, multi-level buildings, data centres and critical municipal infrastructure developments. He holds qualifications from Swinburne University, RMIT, the University of Cape Town, and Malta Polytechnic, and is currently an MBA (Energy and Sustainability) candidate at the University of Cumbria in the UK.
Shane Stodden
Shane Stodden is the Facilities and Asset Manager for YMCA Aquatic and Event Services, overseeing the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre and the Adelaide Aquatic Centre—two of South Australia’s premier aquatic facilities. With a career spanning more than 25 years, Shane began as a lifeguard at the original Adelaide Aquatic Centre before progressing into senior operational, technical, and leadership roles. He has extensive experience in facility operations, asset management, system integration, and compliance, and played a key role in the commissioning and opening of the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre in 2026. Shane specialises in managing high-performance aquatic facilities that balance reliability, safety, and cost efficiency, bringing a practical, real-world perspective to the design and operation of sustainable, low-cost aquatic centres.
Dr Jonathan Duverge
Jonathan is a mechanical engineer who has been working in the engineering industry for over 12 years. He has been working as an ESD mechanical engineer for several years in a well-known engineering and ESD consultancy business in Melbourne. He is an accredited NABERS Assessor, a Green Star Accredited Professional and also an accredited Thermal Performance Assessor. PhD (Built Environment) Certificate 4 in NatHERS Assessment Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Mechanical) Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) with Honours Master of Engineering Management (Environmental Sustainability and Renewable Energy) Member of Engineers Australia
Rudolf (Rudi) Frey
Rudolf (Rudi) Frey is one of Melbourne's pioneers in the uPVC window and double-glazing industry, bringing more than 20 years of specialised experience in high-performance window and door systems. With a technical background in mechanical engineering from Germany, Rudi combines European manufacturing expertise with extensive Australian industry knowledge to deliver innovative, energy-efficient glazing solutions. Throughout his career, Rudi has successfully led technical operations, sales, project management, manufacturing, and product development for some of Australia's leading uPVC window businesses. As a co-founder of EcoTech Windows (later Enertec Windows), Rudi played a key role in introducing modern thermally efficient uPVC window technology to the Australian market and helping establish industry best practices. His expertise covers every stage of the project lifecycle—from technical consultation and site assessment through design, estimating, fabrication planning, installation support, and after-sales service. His practical understanding of manufacturing processes, machinery, hardware systems, and glazing technologies enables him to provide solutions that are technically sound, commercially viable, and tailored to each client's needs. Rudi has undertaken extensive technical training with leading European system suppliers including Rehau, Kömmerling (Profine), Aluplast, and Roto Hardware. He has also attended numerous international industry exhibitions and technical seminars, ensuring he remains at the forefront of emerging products, fabrication technologies, and energy-efficient building solutions.
John Mandelt
John Mandelt is the WA State Manager for Brauer Swim and has over 25 years of experience in the commercial aquatic industry, specialising in water treatment, pool plant systems, and aquatic project delivery. Beginning his career with WJ Pratt in 1996, John relocated to Western Australia in 2000 to manage the delivery of several major aquatic projects. In 2001, he joined AVP, which later became Commercial Aquatics Australia, where he held a range of senior roles including Water Treatment Manager, Project Manager, and Service Manager before joining Brauer Swim. Throughout his career, John has been passionate about helping pool operators better understand the practical principles of water management, combining technical expertise with extensive hands-on industry experience.
Stefan Jensen
Stefan Jensen graduated in 1978 in Denmark with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. His professional career commenced in 1978 with Danfoss, Denmark followed by two years at SABROE Refrigeration A/S, Denmark as a Project Engineer. In 1983, he joined Wildridge & Sinclair, Brisbane, Australia as Technical Manager, Industrial Refrigeration. In 1988, he joined the food machinery manufacturer Heat and Control Pty. Ltd. and was in 1992 appointed General Manager of the Heat and Control refrigeration division. In April 1996, Stefan Jensen co-founded Scantec Refrigeration Technologies Pty. Ltd. He currently holds the position of managing director. Stefan is a Life Member of AIRAH and an Engineers Australia Fellow. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Queensland and Victoria, and registered on the National Engineering Register. He has authored around 50 technical papers for AIRAH, IIR, DKV and IIAR conferences. Stefan is a former member of the Board of Directors of IIAR and of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH).
Tony Kimpton
With over 25 years working in the industrial refrigeration industry and 16 years as managing director of GEA Refrigeration in Australia Tony has the experience and technical knowledge to assist councils and businesses make the hard decisions with energy systems. Tony has worked with Inner West Council, Banyule Council on complex projects and has provided 'council-side' support for other councils who need a cool head in the room when they are trying to work through the best outcomes. Specialties: Refrigeration system design. Refrigeration component design Natural refrigerant applications Business Management
Elie Haddad
Elie Haddad is the Head of Design and Sales at Eurothermal, bringing more than 25 years of engineering and leadership experience in sustainable energy, electrification, and high-performance heating and cooling solutions. He specializes in renewable energy solutions, including solar technologies and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems. Recognized for his expertise in decarbonization and energy transition, Elie has been instrumental in the design and delivery of major electrification projects, including more than 8 MW of high-temperature boiler replacement and industrial decarbonization initiatives. His work focuses on integrating innovative technologies to help organizations achieve meaningful reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions while enhancing operational performance. Elie is passionate about advancing practical, future-focused energy solutions that support the transition to a low-carbon economy. Combining deep technical knowledge with commercial leadership, he also holds an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), complementing his engineering expertise with strategic business and organizational leadership.
Max Ploumis
Max Ploumis is the Engineering Manager at Direct Energy Australia and DC Pro Engineering Australia, specialising in the electrification and decarbonisation of aquatic centres and commercial facilities. His work focuses on renewable heating and cooling systems, geothermal and air-source heat pump technology, solar PV and battery integration, controls, metering and energy modelling. Max has extensive experience in the assessment, design and delivery of integrated energy systems for government, commercial and aquatic centre facilities across Australia. His approach focuses on practical decarbonisation pathways that are technically robust, commercially realistic and supported by measured operating data. Through DEA and DCPEA, Max has been involved in feasibility studies, detailed design, procurement and project delivery for renewable projects, including ground-source and air-source heat pump systems, hybrid plantrooms, pool and domestic hot water heating upgrades, and precinct-scale energy systems.
Travel options
Fitzroy Town Hall is surrounded by metered 2hr parking.
There are 2 tram routes close to the venue:
-Tram to Smith Street Collingwood (Number 86)
-Tram to Brunswick Street Fitzroy (Number 11).
The Town Hall is located between these two routes and the venue is a 250m walk from both routes.
The second option is an Uber or Taxi ride to the venue.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WwB4A6AVpRsCKhtt8
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