Terry Tyzack grandstand given new lease on life

The grandstand at the Stirling Leisure Centres – Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre – Inglewood will be given a new lease on life as part of the current outdoor pool and plant redevelopment, with the City of Stirling announcing the successful public artists for the project.

The City allocates up to 2 per cent of the project cost for major capital works to fund public art in line with the Public Art Policy and the City’s Public Art Masterplan 2021-2025, which sets out the strategic direction for the City’s public art curation and commissioning.

Artists Chris Nixon and Andrew Frazer have been selected for the $135,000 commission after an extensive expression of interest, shortlisting and formal invitation to quote process. The pair presented their design concept to the Public Art Working Party (PAWP) which includes the local Ward Councillors, an independent art professional and representatives from the City of Stirling’s Arts and Events and Recreation and Leisure teams.

Chris Nixon and Andrew Frazer said the abstract and fragmented human form, movement, health, vitality and nostalgia were key elements behind their final design.

“This design draws on our own nostalgia for summertime swims, long days around the public pool, frozen bananas, ice creams and that post swim feeling as we would dry out in the sun,” they said.

“It’s an iconic Australian culture and lifestyle that connects community and brings about celebration and rejuvenation through swimming. These memories and experiences continue today in the redevelopment of this facility at the Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre.

“We focussed on creating a bold and striking visual language which emerged through the study of key symbols and iconography, and we hope that this work – combined with the state-of-the-art upgrades to the pool – helps carry on this legacy of the iconic Aussie pool.”

Mayor Mark Irwin said the artwork was a bold, fun and vibrant rejuvenation of the grandstand which would look great next to the $10 million upgraded pool and facilities.

“The outdoor pool and plant redevelopment involves a complete replacement of the outdoor diving and eight-lane pools with one state-of-the-art, L-shaped, heated 50m pool – made up of an extended 10-lane 50m and four-lane 25m pool space – shade structure and plant room upgrades,” he said.

“This $10 million project – which includes a $1 million State Government grant from the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund – is the signature investment of this year’s 2022/23 budget and a much-needed rejuvenation of a pool that has reached the end of its 50-year life.

“We are thrilled that this brand new outdoor pool will be matched by a bold and vibrant public artwork stretching the full length and height of the grandstand.

“We are especially pleased to see that the artists have included community engagement, through skill-share workshops held at local primary schools. By bringing students into the design process, we hope that they will be inspired and equipped to create an artwork of their own.”

The public artwork will include painting the front faces of each of the five levels of the grandstand as well as the front face of the well-known zigzag roof that currently provides shade over the grandstand.

Chris Nixon and Andrew Frazer said the artwork will be coated with a sealant to ensure the project stands the test of time.

“We have consulted with established experts in industrial coatings and combined that with our own experience with large scale public art with painted finishes to make sure the art will adorn this grandstand for countless summers to come.”

Works are expected to take place early in 2023, ahead of the proposed reopening of the new facilities in spring 2023.