Unused netball courts adjacent to Parap Pool proposed site of land-based training facility

A proposal for a new land-based training facility at Parap Pool could bring in Australia’s top swimmers ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.

Aerial view of the Parap Pool and surrounds. Area in red contains current netball courts and site of proposed development. Picture: Google Maps

A proposal for the construction of a new training facility at Parap Pool has been announced by City of Darwin.

Swimming Northern Territory, supported by Swimming Australia and stakeholders put forward a proposal to build a land-based training facility on the unused netball courts located on the eastern side of the pool complex.

As the only World Aquatics compliant facility in Darwin, Parap Pool routinely holds school, state, club and national meets each calendar year.

Currently operating as a complex open to the public, the proposed development would only be for swim club use and not the general public.

Current Parap Pool facilities with the unused netball courts in the background.

If the facility gets the green light, Swimming Australia would use the pool as a training camp location for the Dolphins ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the facility will support a wide range of programs and develop local swimmers.

“Parap Pool supports a wide range of programs for all ages and abilities, including learn-to-swim, aqua aerobics, squad training and water polo,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“The proposed training facility would also support the development of local club swimmers by providing access to strength and conditioning facilities and programs, as well as providing space for interstate swim teams who use Parap Pool for training camps.”

Australian Olympic swimmers have already used the facilities at Parap Pool. Kyle Chalmers trained at Parap as part of his preparations for the Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo, 2018.

The proposal includes

Features:

– 35m x 12m, fully enclosed, wheelchair-accessible building

– Gym, recovery room, meeting room, storeroom

Benefits:

– Support the development of local swimmers by providing access to strength and conditioning facilities and programs.

– Provide dry land training space for interstate swim teams who already use Parap Pool for training camps.

– Position Parap Pool as a world-class training destination for local, national and international swim teams.

– Provide a training facility for the Australian Dolphins Olympic and Paralympic teams in the lead up to the Brisbane Olympics in 2032

– Free up the existing stakeholder room and storage areas to be better used by the pool operator and other user groups during peak times.

The council is putting out the feelers to the general public, having itself, in principle, already provided support – subject to community feedback, funding confirmation and planning.

Community pop-up stalls will be available at Parap Pool from 12-2pm Wednesday, April 30 and 3.30-6.30pm Thursday, May 1.

An online survey is also available at: https://engage.darwin.nt.gov.au/parap-training-facility

Community engagement closes at 4pm Tuesday, 6 May.