Ashfield Aquatic Centre: Inner West Council’s plan works

It was opened to much fanfare, but just months later Inner West Council’s $44m Ashfield Aquatic Centre has run into some rather embarrassing difficulties.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne at the Ashfield Aquatic Centre when it opened last October.

It was heralded as a state-of-the-art facility and something of a tonic after such an awful 2020.

But just months after its October opening, the $44m Ashfield Aquatic Centre has run into some rather embarrassing difficulties.

So much so that the Inner West Council is having to splash out $510,000 on improvements and has resorted to laying down non-slip mats.

The $510,000 is set to go towards providing swimmers with some shade after just a single shade sail was included in plans.

The bungle came to the attention of council’s officers after residents complained about the lack of shade on the landmark project over the peak summer period.

One council source suggested the facility has only hosted the one school swimming carnival in four months because of the lack of shade.

However, this was refuted by a council spokeswoman who said COVID-19 had impacted its ability to host events.

The council now plans to erect nine more sails, extra umbrellas and shading protecting various other bright spots.

The $44m pool was opened to local fanfare in October after a mammoth redevelopment.

But that has not been the only issue.

Council documents reveal there have been so many slips at the centre since it opened that it had to re-seal the surface in January and has now resorted to laying down “non-slip matts” until it figures out a long-term solution.

Since October 47 people have slipped and fallen at the centre.

A total of 24 of those happened in November alone.

The report tendered for next week’s council meeting stated this figure was “in line with what would be considered normal operations for a high visitation facility”.

Councillor Julie Passass described it as “a shambles”

“It was done so quickly, they did the opening and now all these things are happening,” she said.

“I have no faith in these projects … it’s comical.

“I had to ask the GM to put a shade cloth outside up to help people lining up in the sun to get into the pool.

The pool is state of the art and has moving floors installed. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“What is going on? Are you seriously running up to Bunnings after you just built a $44 million pool?”

It marks a turbulent early period for the centre, which was lauded as a major success after years of fighting between councillors.

“Since being operational, council has had feedback from customers that they would like additional shade,” a council spokeswoman said. “Council resolved in December 2020 to receive a report on the possibility of installing more shade sails.”

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