The State Government has added to its $10 million funding to Alkimos Aquatic Recreation Centre with an extra $2.5m last week.
The extra funding is part of the State Government’s Community Sporting and Recreational Facilities Fund to cover some of the funding shortfall for the recreation centre.
The development is expected to be completed in September 2026, with construction set to start in January 2025.
The cost for the project grew from $65m to $78m with the city approving an extra $10m from its 2025-26 capital works program, taking its total contribution to $25m.
The Federal Government has committed $30m, the State Government’s input has now grown to $12.5m and $14m has been contributed through the Alkimos-Eglinton Developer Contribution Plan.
Butler MLA John Quigley praised the extra funding for the aquatic centre.
“I’m extremely proud that the Cook Government has secured $2.5m in extra funding for the City of Wanneroo to construct the Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre,” he said.
“This extra funding is in addition to seed funding of $10m and land secured by the Cook Government for the centre.
“This project will lead to more healthy and active living, increase opportunities for local athletes and will allow around 10,000 local school students to have access to swimming lessons almost at their door, saving them from travelling up to an hour as they currently have to do.”
The development will be located north of Romeo Road and adjacent to the future Alkimos train station.
The aquatic centre was not the only beneficiary in the area, with Heath Park in Eglinton allocated more than $220,000 for lighting upgrades, which will bring floodlighting up to 100 lux.
The funding is part of the State Government’s Club Nights Lights Program grant, with more than $3.4m to 11 projects for new floodlights or upgraded lighting.
“We welcome the State Government’s $2.5 million funding commitment towards construction of the Alkimos aquatic and recreation centre,” Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said.
“We’re dedicated to providing facilities that support our residents to lead healthy and active lifestyles, and this funding will help us deliver a state-of-the-art facility to suit the needs of the growing northern suburbs community well into the future.
“The State Government’s generous contribution towards floodlighting upgrades at Heath Park in Eglinton is also a fantastic boost to help the city support the local sporting clubs that use the facility for training and competition.”
Other funding from the State Government’s CSRFF and CNLP grants in the northern suburbs include:
$192,333 to City of Wanneroo for the upgrade of clubrooms at Montrose Park;
$161,945 to City of Joondalup for the upgrade of floodlighting to 100 lux LED at Santiago Park;
$325,000 to City of Stirling for the upgrade of floodlighting to 100 lux LED at Princess Wallington Reserve and $280,883 for the upgrade of floodlighting to 100 lux LED at Des Penman Reserve.