Parramatta council defer pool decision until February 2018

Residents will be waiting years for the new Parramatta pool, and the timeline has been extended with councillors deferring the decision on what kind of pool they want.

The Parramatta Pool has yet to be decided, with councillors pushing the choice until February next year.

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The gift of a replacement pool was in sight for Parramatta residents this week but councillors could not agree on how it should look or what it should cost.

Parramatta Council was presented with six different options for an aquatic centre to replace the former War Memorial Pool, which was demolished earlier this year to make way for Western Sydney Stadium.

But councillors chose to defer the matter until next year, pushing out the timeline for construction of the pool.

It also means the council has failed to follow through on a commitment to the State Government.

“Council did make a commitment to submit a business case on the pool before Christmas,” Parramatta Council acting chief executive Sue Coleman said.

“It won’t necessarily mean the process won’t continue it just means it will be delayed and will delay other steps in the process.”

The options include both an indoor and outdoor pool Picture: concept image

Council were presented with six options for the pool, differing with materials and facilities.

The recommended pool would include indoor and outdoor facilities for year-round use and an underground parking space, with other options including a fitness centre and water play area.

Liberal councillors Bill Tyrrell and Bob Dwyer were among the 14 councillors who voted to defer the pool decision, wanting more time to review the cost of the options.

“I’d like to have a closer look at the breakdown of price,” Cr Tyrrell said.

“We haven’t been given enough time to look at each option and how much we will need to pay.”

The State Government promised $30 million to help construct the pool, with early estimations showing the replacement could cost anywhere between $65 million and $83 million, leaving more than half of the costs to be covered by council.

The Parramatta Pool was closed in April to make way for the Western Sydney Stadium.

“We need to ask if we can get a greater grant from the State Government,” Cr Dwyer said.

“They got rid of the pool, surely they should pay more to replace it.”

North Parramatta Residents Action Group (NPRAG) vice president Dr Stephen Brancatisano said the delay in the process was allowing for more “slippage”.

“They’re deferring for three months now,” Dr Brancatisano said.

“It’s already going to be four or five years until we get a pool, but now we have to wait longer. This is going to force slippage to the rest of the timeline.”

State Government promised $30 million to rebuild after demolition.

Dr Brancatisano was also hesitant to pick one of the options tabled, stating that they were always hoping for an identical pool to the War Memorial Pool, which included a diving board.

“The administrator promised like-for-like when she gave the seal of approval for Gladys’ wrecking ball to take down Parramatta’s only public pool for a bigger stadium,” he said.

“NPRAG encourages Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson to demand the State Government fund the entire new aquatic centre for Parramatta to replace the one they took from ratepayers, so we are not left waiting four increasingly hot summers to swim again.”