Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre opens at $100m taxpayer cost

Clover Moore’s new pool at Green Square will open next month almost a year late and $50 million over budget – and there is hardly anywhere to park.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s new pool at Green Square will fin­ally open next month at a cost to ratepayers of more than $100 million — double what was budgeted when the project was signed off in 2015.

And there is ­plenty of parking — but only for people who are riding a bike.

The new $106.5 million Gunyama Aquatic Centre was originally budgeted at $50 million and was due to open in June last year but has been hit by cost blow outs and COVID-19 delays.

“This level of blowout is beyond reasonable ­expectations,” Sydney City councillor Dr Kerryn Phelps said.

The new $106.5 million Gunyama Aquatic Centre will open in February. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The Gunyama Aquatic Centre. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Pool operator Belgravia Leisure was handed the keys to the state-of-the-art complex, which ­includes a 50m pool, 25m indoor pool, hydrotherapy pool, fitness centre and creche, on December 17.

It has been paid more than $1 million to operate the pool even though no ­members of the public have been inside.

“Ratepayers rightly expect that public funds are managed effectively with a strong focus on value for money,” Dr Phelps said.

“It’s taken too long to complete.”

The Gunyama Aquatic Centre. Picture: Tim Hunter

The centre has 138 bicycle racks but no car park. There are 40 metered spots on the surrounding streets with just four dedicated disabled parking spots.

Others are expected to use Mobility Parking Permits to park on the street.

A City of Sydney spokeswoman said: “Many factors, ­including the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, delayed completion of the project which was meant to open in early 2020.”

She said the Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre was the biggest community asset ever built by the council and would open its doors on Monday, February 1.

“Getting the centre ready for the public is complex and resource intensive,” she said. Belgravia Leisure had to ­recruit and train almost 150 staff including lifeguards.

She said the council was “introducing a park, swim and gym scheme” so that the on-street ticket machines near the centre will be subsidised.