There is nothing more Australian than having a swim in your backyard pool or spending endless hours at your favourite beach. Many Aussie adults feel an overwhelming sense of nostalgia when they recall countless childhood hours spent in and around th water. As more and more families move closer to the urban lifestyle and farewell suburbia, we feel that our kids are perhaps missing out on making those same cherished childhood memories. The solution, a public pool by the beach!
An iconic seaside pool was first suggested to the City of Port Phillip some 20 years ago but until now the idea was never given serious consideration. Rohan Cresp, a passionate local, commissioned WOWOWA Architecture & Interiors to create these render images in the hope they will inspire other likeminded individuals to invest in the community of Port Melbourne.
The intended pool, which will sit beside the Port Melbourne Yacht Club (PMYC), will be a visual gateway to Melbourne and to the State of Victoria. The site will not only welcome international cruise ships, but also greet the daily ferry passengers from Tassie. Such a facility would benefit the Community of Port Melbourne, the surrounding suburbs, and particularly the schools in the area. Our wish is for both local and state governments, along with communities and corporations to get behind this fantastic proposed facility, and support the locals who have re-sparked the idea from 2 decades ago.
Monique & Scott Woodward of WOWOWA collaborated with Andre Bonnice to create these beautiful images that aim to bring the project to life.
We want to host information events to galvanize a ground swell of support and enthusiasm. We have already exhibited the pool at a 500-person trivia evening at the Port Melbourne Primary School which was held back in June. The idea was extremely well received by parents and locals. People loved we were keeping the car park but building over to create a new entry and shaded under croft area, they loved the opportunity to upgrade the outdoor deck area of the PMYC and loved the palm trees.
This approach of ‘grass roots project generation’ is modern and exciting. We are here to listen and to engage and welcome constructive feedback. We hope this campaign will generate enough enthusiasm to render this a real project and in turn get funding like most other civic buildings of its scale. The want to avoid the momentum of this project sliding – the last thing we need is for it to get put on the back burner again.
In a similar bid to secure funding for a community project, WOWOWA has recently been involved in the successful bid to build at extension on the Narre Warren Football & Netball Club. This process also involved attracting media attention, raising money and designing/documenting the site. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year.
We hope we are also able to provide the community of Port Melbourne with a central hub – a place for all to learn how to swim safely.
Rewards for contributing to this worthy campaign:
Many thank-you's, Community Workshop, WOWOWA Vintage Posters, 1yr Unlimited Swims, WOWOWA Rosella Pendants. Email or post us a copy of your letter of support written to the City of Port Phillip or local member to also claim a spot on the contributor 'Board of Champions'. We also plan to organise a free seaside information session so stay turned.
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