Canterbury, Revesby pools set for massive upgrades
Three aquatic centres and a splashpark would be built and two public pools refurbished, after one Sydney council committed to an extraordinary $170m cash splash.
The Express
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Canterbury Bankstown Council will provide an oasis for residents with more than $100 million to be spent on three new leisure centres and a new splashpark, planned for the area.
Construction for the new leisure and aquatic centres for Canterbury and Revesby could start as early as next year, with planning under way.
The Max Parker Leisure and Aquatic Centre, Revesby and the Canterbury Leisure and Aquatic Centres will be upgraded under the council’s $170 million commitment to improve leisure and aquatic facilities over the next 15 years.
The upgrades come as the Wran Leisure and Aquatic Centre, Villawood, will be shut with a new multi-purpose community centre to replace it at Thurina Park in the same suburb.
The Greenacre Leisure and Aquatic Centre, which is not being used, will also be closed.
The upgrades will be funded form different sources including development levy from the section 94 contributions, sale of some under-used or surplus assets, partnerships with schools/private developers and applying for grants and other contributions.
Mayor Khal Asfour urged residents to have a say on the facilities, saying they want to get it right the first time.
“This follows extensive research into existing splashparks throughout Australia and I am anticipating construction will start next year,” he said. “I anticipate we will begin engaging with the community next year, so design work can be undertaken.
“The facilities will need to meet the needs of the community for decades to come.”
Mayor Asfour said he hoped the council could share concept plans for the splashpark with the community within the next eight months.
The new facilities are part of Canterbury-Bankstown’s Leisure and Aquatic Centre Strategic Plan, which was approved by council in August, after the majority of residents backed it.
It followed a three-year independent review of the city’s leisure and aquatic facilities, which included a long period of community consultation.
UNDER THE PLAN:
■ New leisure and aquatic facilities will be constructed at Revesby and Canterbury;
■ The existing Birrong and Roselands Leisure and Aquatic Centres will be upgraded;
■ Wran Leisure and Aquatic Centre will be closed, but only after a new community facility is constructed at Thurina Park, Villawood
■ A new water splash park and enhanced play space will be constructed at Roberts Park, replacing Greenacre Leisure and Aquatic Centre.
■ Plan details: cb.city/leisure