Plans to name Parramatta’s new aquatic centre begin
The countdown is on to open Parramatta’s $88 million aquatic centre with a push to christen it with an indigenous title that reflects the land’s history. Find out the options so far.
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It will be six long hot summers since Parramatta residents made a splash at their pool and the council will soon discuss what permanent name to give the $88 million aquatic and leisure centre when it opens in 2023.
Possible names are Parramatta Aquatic Recreation Centre, Barramada Aquatic Centre, Parramatta Aquatic Centre or a combination of Parramatta Pool and the Dharug name for the land it sits on.
The main 50m pool will pay tribute to Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Centre, which was wiped out to make way for CommBank stadium in 2017, and take the title of the Memorial Pool after consultation with Parramatta RSL sub-branch.
The grandstand will be named the Kevin Hession Stand after the late member of the Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Club, who died in 2020, aged 89.
The most recent naming process the council undertook drew controversy, when the $130 million 5 Parramatta Square adopted the polarising title of Phive.
After months of debate and community backlash, the name was chosen as a play on five and because it combines Parramatta and hive (of activity).
North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group spokeswoman Suzette Meade, who lobbied to save Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Centre from demolition, favours an indigenous name.
“After what happened with the naming of Phive and the back and forth I think the community would be up for a First Nations name that’s got links to Parramatta because Phive doesn’t,’’ she said.
“This is on public land in a park and has public space and an enormous amount of history. I think it should have some actual connection to what Parramatta’s soul is, which is the Dharug people and the meeting place.’’
Ms Meade also welcomed naming the 50m pool after the war memorial pool. Like several other pools in NSW, such as Blacktown, Camden and Baulkham Hills, the Melbourne 1956 Olympics inspired Parramatta’s aquatic wonderland to open in 1959.
Many were bestowed with memorial titles to pay tribute to the fallen of World War II.
The pool, which sits on the former Parramatta Golf Course at Pitt St and Park Pde is part of the Mays Hill precinct and part of Parramatta Park.
Architects Andrew Burges Grimshaw Architects and McGregor Coxall Landscape have designed the recreation drawcard, which the council and state government are funding.
It will feature the Olympic sized outdoor pool and landscaped leisure area, indoor 25m pool, programming pool, water play area, spa, steam, sauna, cafe and a full sized wellness centre with gym floor and program rooms.
The council will meet on Monday to discuss naming the pool. If the Dharug title option is selected, more consultation with the Aboriginal community will be undertaken before a recommendation returns to the council for approval.
Other pool facilities will also be named after local landmarks and waterways, deceased community figures who contributed to health and swimming and individuals who were part of the site’s history.
The outcomes of the public feedback will be met by September.
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