Ivanhoe Grammar School – Coonawarra Willam Aquatic Centre
Doreen, Victoria
The Coonawarra Willam Aquatic Centre is a forward-thinking project designed to provide state-of-the-art aquatic and wellness facilities for both students and the wider school community. The centre features two cutting-edge swimming pools, four multi-purpose learning hubs, dedicated fitness spaces, and wellness areas to support physical health, mental well-being, and holistic development.
This new centre reinforces the school's commitment to fostering balanced, active lifestyles in line with its educational values. The design incorporates modern, sustainable elements, ensuring it serves as a lasting, environmentally responsible asset for the school and those who will learn and thrive here for years to come.
Coonawarra Willam Aquatic Centre - where water meets spirit, honouring the land’s ancient keepers, flowing with the stories of the Traditional Owners, and embracing the deep currents of culture and connection—translates to Home of the Swan in the Woi-wurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. Gifted by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Zeta Thomson, the name reflects the swan (Coonawarra), a creature of both land and water, symbolizing the harmony between these elements. This deep connection to nature and heritage is embedded in the centre’s design, creating a space wherelearning, movement, and community come together in harmony with the land’s enduring cultural significance.
The design integrates innovative ESD (Environmentally Sustainable Design) elements, including solar harvesting technology, a high-performance envelope for optimal energy efficiency, water-saving filtration systems, passive solar design, and sustainable material selection, ensuring a facility that not only honours the land’s cultural heritage but also minimises its environmental footprint for generations to come.
Additionally, the facility will benefit the broader community by offering a learn-to-swim program, equipping students and local families with essential water safety skills and fostering confidence in the water from a young age.
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Peddle Thorp acknowledges and pays respect to the inspiration, wisdom and story of Country and the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land. We extend that respect to the Elders past, present and emerging.
