Plans revealed: Guildford Swimming Centre, Civic Park Pendle Hill, Lidcombe

A run-down swimming pool, high street and park will be transformed into alfresco dining spots, sports courts and barbecues following a $29m boost.

Tired facilities across the Cumberland area are about to get a facelift.

A run-down swimming pool, high street and park will be transformed into alfresco dining spots, sports courts and barbecues following a $29 million boost.

Guildford Swim Centre, Civic Park at Pendle Hill and Lidcombe’s Joseph St will be upgraded through funds allocated under the State Government’s WestInvest program.

The biggest chunk — $14.6 million — will go towards modernising the 50-year-old Guildford Swimming Centre with a new 25m pool and eight-lane 50m pool with ramp access, a water play park, pool deck showers, a community room and change rooms, which Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake were in a “pretty crook’’ state.

The pool hosts Cumberland’s largest learn-to-swim program and was earmarked for an upgrade after the $12.2 million Wentworthville reopened following a revamp in March 2021 but has faced delays.

Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake at Guildford Swimming Centre, which is getting a $14.6 million upgrade from WestInvest funds.

The council last week unveiled Granville Swimming Centre’s expanded change rooms after a federal government $500,000 grant.

At Pendle Hill, Civic Park has been allocated $7 million for a new table tennis zone, multipurpose sport courts and barbecue areas

The funding boost allows Cumberland Council to deliver the final stage of the project, with works slated to begin in this financial year.

Families flock to Civic Park at Pendle Hill. Picture: Monique Harmer

The park in the centre of the suburb has long had a rubbish-riddled creek but draws thousands of residents from nearby multistorey apartments without backyards, who love using the space to play cricket, use the play equipment and play tennis on the double courts.

“It’s a good win for the community living around Pendle Hill and Girraween,’’ Cumberland Deputy Mayor Suman Saha said.

“I think the main reason is there are lots of apartment blocks and medium density (homes) like townhouses and villa developments going around Pendle Hill and Girraween, and lots of families with kids are moving to the area, and they need a park upgrade.

“They can go and spend quality time at the park, and it ticks all the boxes for young families, senior citizens, sporting groups, everyone.’’

At Lidcombe, the town centre of Joseph and Bridge streets will get a $7.6 million makeover that will improve the public and dining spaces that Premier Dominic Perrottet said would “foster a strong sense of community belonging”.

A concept design of Joseph St, Lidcombe, could look after the $7.6 million revamp.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the project would deliver dozens of trees and more than 800sq m of green landscaping to beautify the hub.

“These improvements, combined with expanded footpaths and cycleways, outdoor dining, street furniture and public art will change the face of Lidcombe,” Mr Kean said.

The council will also contribute $2.8 million towards the Lidcombe Town Centre High Street Activation project.

Have your say on playgrounds

Parramatta Council is poised to refresh a series of playgrounds and is seeking input on six parks that need “a little bit of love to be brought back to life for families to enjoy”.

As part its Play Your Way! campaign, ageing infrastructure will be replaced and play equipment at reserves including Arrunga Street Reserve at Dundas, Rosella Park at Harris Park and Peggy Womersely Reserve at Carlingford.

Submissions are open until Friday, November 4.

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