Oak Park Sports and Aquatic Precinct

Project Overview

The Oak Park Sports and Aquatic Precinct is a major municipal sporting facility redevelopment engineered to deliver state-of-the-art recreational assets. The extensive precinct program incorporates a new 50-metre outdoor lap pool, a dedicated learn-to-swim pool, an interactive play pool, waterslides, a high-performance gymnasium, versatile multipurpose and studio spaces, alongside a structurally separate sports pavilion.

Co-Perform was engaged by Haskell Architects to deliver comprehensive ESD (Ecologically Sustainable Development) consulting services, embedding advanced resource efficiency, water conservation, and carbon abatement technologies across the high-thermal-load aquatic and commercial spaces.

Renewable Energy & Mechanical Integration

Aquatic centres are inherently energy-intensive assets due to continuous water heating and mechanical ventilation demands. To offset this operational profile, Co-Perform integrated a multi-tiered renewable energy and high-efficiency mechanical strategy:

• Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Array: A large-scale rooftop PV infrastructure was engineered to generate significant on-site renewable electricity, buffering the peak daytime energy demands of the gymnasium and pool filtration networks.
• Hybrid Heat Pump Technology: High-efficiency electric heat pump hot water systems were specified as the primary thermal engine for pool and domestic hot water heating, unlocking substantial energy and greenhouse gas emission savings. A targeted gas-fired backup system was integrated to manage extreme peak loads and rapid recovery periods seamlessly.
• HVAC & Electrical Efficiency: Premium, low-energy air conditioning systems featuring variable speed drives were paired with smart-controlled, high-efficiency LED lighting networks to minimise parasitic electrical loads throughout the indoor studios and pavilion.

Water Conservation & Process Engineering

Given the heavy structural reliance on water resources, the precinct features advanced hydraulic and process engineering solutions to reduce municipal water dependence:

• Advanced Water Treatment: The pool filtration and treatment infrastructure utilizes high-quality, low-energy water treatment systems. This closed-loop process technology optimises water turnover rates, maintains strict chemical balances, and reduces backwash water waste compared to traditional sand-filter configurations.
• Rainwater Harvesting Infrastructure: Large-scale rainwater retention tanks capture stormwater from the expansive pavilion and stadium roof catchments. This harvested water undergoes localized filtration to service the majority of the site’s toilet flushing, facility washdown, and landscape irrigation demands.

Current Status

The finished redevelopment transforms the legacy site into a highly resilient, climate-conscious sports hub that mitigates municipal utility expenditures while delivering high-quality community infrastructure.