The new site of Western Australian high performance sport is nearing completion with the WAIS Service Centre set to offer WA’s athletes a bright future.
In the early part of 2015, construction at the Mt Claremont precinct has seen key projects under-taken with many of the crucial elements nearing completion.
WAIS Executive Director Steve Lawrence was enthusiastic about the construction progress and believes the Centre will provide significant benefit to both the Institute’s athletes and staff.
“The facility is approximately 85% complete with all internal walls nearing completion, painting commenced and internal fit-out of electrical and mechanical components now underway,” he said.
“While the new staff offices will be a huge improvement on our current abode, it is the athlete recovery zone with its recovery pools, outdoor relaxation deck, kitchen, lounge, study area and day beds that will be a huge value add to our athletes,” Mr Lawrence added.
The facility will boast an indoor 80m runway and multipurpose area (the size of two netball courts) which will allow WAIS biomechanists to significantly enhance their input into athlete preparation.
The strength and conditioning area is over three times the size of the current operational space and will help to reduce congestion at peak times as well as crucially providing access to athletes with a disability.
The WAIS High Performance Service Centre will also have access to altitude simulation, a feature that Mr Lawrence indicated would benefit the home training environment.
“The ability to turn the athlete bedrooms, kitchen and lounge areas into an altitude house will be a fantastic new addition and will allow athletes the opportunity to gain the benefits of altitude training without the cost of travel and lost time,” he said.
With the WAIS kayak program having recently completed an altitude camp in the Perisher Valley, the value of hosting such facilities within the WAIS environment cannot be understated.
Mr Lawrence said that ground floor sports surfaces should be completed in early March, with handover expected prior to Easter and final fit-out and staff transition occurring immediately after the Easter break.
“It’s fantastic the state government could see the need and the opportunity the facility will provide for the current and many future generations of athletes and were willing to commit $33.7m to the construction of this state of the art facility.”
“It has also been great to see the enthusiasm and professionalism of the Architectural firm Sandover Pinder as well as DSR, BMW and VenuesWest in working with the builder Esslemont Cockram to ensure our collective vision will be realised in the very near future,” Mr Lawrence said.
