Parramatta pools to be built by council and NSW Government
After more than two years without a swimming pool, a $77 million plan to give Parramatta an aquatic centre “to die for” has been revealed.
Parramatta
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After more than a year of negotiations an agreement has been struck between the NSW Government and a western Sydney council to finally build a replacement public swimming pool “to die for”.
The State Government and Parramatta Council will splash out $38.5 million each for an all-year round aquatic centre with a 25m indoor swimming pool, a 10-lane 50m pool and fitness centre sprawled over 12,000sq m at the corner of Pitt St and Park Pde.
The pools will be heated and will also feature a learn-to-swim and hydrotherapy pools underground on the former golf course site flanking the train line.
There will be a 212-spot carpark.
The pools will be built by 2023, six years after the beloved O’Connell St pools were demolished to build Bankwest Stadium.
After more than two years of delays and political tussle over whether the government or the council should fund the new pool, Sport Minister John Sidoti, Parramatta Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson and Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee threw politics in the history basket to laud the swimming pools.
“Times looked fairly dark there and there were many complex issues … but working through one step at a time, Mr Sidoti pulled this off,’’ Cr Wilson said.
“Unlike others, he was determined to deliver a world class pool. It’s just lovely. We spent a lot of time coming here.’’
Cr Wilson’s comments follow years of funding feuds between the council and the state that cast doubt whether the pools would be built at all.
A Parramatta councillor, who did not want to be named, said the move shows the faith the government has with the council.
“The project has been handed to the council despite Geoff Lee calling us incompetent,” the councillor said.
“Obviously the state, the minister and the local member have a different view of the council.”
Opposition leader Jodi McKay has also ramped up pressure on the government to deliver the project.
Mr Lee said Parramatta had waited too long for a pool.
“It will be a pool to die for,’’ he said.
“It’s going to be a state-of-the art facility, not just for Parramatta but for western Sydney.”
A consortium of architects — Andrew Burges Architects, Grimshaw Architects, and McGregor Coxall — have designed pool after a competition fielded 12 submissions of which four were shortlisted.
When questioned about whether the pool funding was vindication for the council, who battled for the government to match funding, Cr Wilson said “I think it makes a bit more sense that the council works with the State Government”.
“I’m not going to hold anyone responsible except to say it’s time to get on with the job. I really believe at some point common sense prevailed.’’
Mr Sidoti brushed off questions that the funding would have failed to emerge under former sport minister Stuart Ayres.
“At the end of the day it’s about collaboration,’’ he said.
“We drew a line in the sand. We’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
He said the council fought hard to secure a new pool.
“I’ve been on council, I’ve been a mayor and to their credit, they fought hard,’’ he said.
Cr Wilson said the winning design for the aquatic centre was chosen from a shortlist of four exceptional designs.
“Congratulations to the consortium on their successful submission,’’ he said.
“I’m excited to see this project progressing and I look forward to working to ensure this first-class facility is delivered for the Parramatta community as soon as possible.”
Opposition leader Jodi McKay said the government washed its hands of the pool location, the start date and finish date to the council.
“Parramatta ratepayers will still have to pay millions for the project and will have had six years roasting in 40 degree summers without a pool,’’ she said.
“Ratepayers in Parramatta shouldn’t have to pay the cost of the Berejiklian Government’s theft of their local pool.”
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