The historic Brunswick Baths is currently undergoing several major renovations, with ongoing closures throughout August and September.
Brunswick Baths has closed its indoor pool for major renovations with talks of a further $2.35 million expansion.
Works currently underway at the Dawson Street facility include resurfaced floors in the indoor pool area, modernised change rooms, a new Pilates room, new cold showers for the spa area, a refurbished sauna, family change rooms in the outdoor pool area, and a refreshed cycle studio. The upgrades mark the second time Brunswick Baths has been refurbished since a $17 million redevelopment was completed 12 years ago.
Brunswick Baths opened in 1914 and attracts almost half a million visitors each year. The current Dawson Street frontage wasn’t built until 1929, and the facility has remained a cornerstone of the local community ever since.
Brunswick Baths renovations
- Indoor pool closed: 14 August to 5 September
- Change rooms closed: 18 August to 12 September
- Full centre closure: 25-26 August
- Located at Dawson Street, Brunswick
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Council has allocated $150,000 this financial year towards concept designs for expanding the gym space. Plans involve relocating the outdoor basketball court to the south-east corner of the neighbouring Balam Balam Place development and using that space for gym expansion.
Originally, community members had petitioned for the demolition of a north-west building to make way for gym expansion. About 400 people signed the petition last July asking council to consider allocating the building for gym space. Instead, council decided to preserve the building as affordable workspace for artists, including printmakers and those connected to the Blak Dot Gallery.
The artist workspace will receive $900,000 for building works including new wiring, plumbing and toilet installation. These plans were set aside until Balam Balam Place was completed earlier this year.
The entire project is expected to cost about $2.35 million.
Current renovations will see swimming lessons pause automatically, with options to transfer to Fawkner or Coburg facilities temporarily. Members can choose to pause memberships during the indoor pool closure. Aquatic programming will continue in the outdoor pool, while sauna, steam and spa access will be available at Coburg Leisure Centre.
Extended outdoor pool hours have been introduced during the works, staying open until 9.45pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 7.45pm on Wednesdays and weekends.
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