LIWA Aquatics was proud to join industry professionals from across Western Australia for a behind-the-scenes look at the newly refurbished LeisureFit Booragoon, hosted by the City of Melville. The Technical Tour and Presentation provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to explore the $11.5 million transformation of one of the state’s most iconic community aquatic facilities.

After 23 years of service, LeisureFit Booragoon has undergone an impressive two-stage redevelopment that modernises its infrastructure while enhancing community access and inclusivity. The upgrades include a revitalised leisure pool with a toddlers play area, a refurbished 50-metre lap pool, improved air quality and acoustics, accessible change facilities, and the addition of a dedicated warm water rehabilitation pool to support seniors, babies, and therapeutic programs.

“Thank you again to the LeisureFit Booragoon team for sharing your experiences, challenges, and lessons learned,” said Leith Fradd, Executive Officer of LIWA Aquatics. “Your insights will help drive improvements in facility planning across WA.”

• The tour highlighted several key takeaways for operators and designers alike, including:
• The critical role of long-term asset management
• The value of involving operational staff in design and decision-making processes
• The challenge of balancing community needs with functionality and sustainability
• The importance of practical and inclusive design considerations

Paul McAlister and Alexandra Gamble, together with the broader City of Melville team, guided attendees through the facility, sharing the process behind the redevelopment — from early planning through to execution and community re-engagement.

“I’m so pleased that following a major refurbishment of LeisureFit Booragoon, we can now offer a modern, contemporary, and accessible swimming facility for our members and community to enjoy,” said City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair at the reopening of the facility. “The upgrades reflect our commitment to promoting health, inclusion and wellbeing for all members of our community.”

The upgraded facility was officially celebrated with a free community open day on January 20, marking the reopening of a revitalised hub that is now better equipped to meet the evolving needs of residents across all ages and abilities.

LIWA Aquatics extends its sincere thanks to the City of Melville for hosting this outstanding industry event and for demonstrating leadership in creating inclusive, future-ready aquatic spaces. Events like this help foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement throughout Western Australia’s aquatic and recreation sector.