This suburban pool closed for upgrades but it will cost $1m to reopen just as it was

A Sydney council faces a $1 million outlay to re-open a pool it shut last year, after cost blowouts on an approved upgrade brought the project to a halt.

The redevelopment of Epping Aquatic Centre, budgeted at $26.88 million, was meant to start last year, but the pool has remained dormant, the water turning green.

The City of Parramatta declined tenders that exceeded the figure and chose to go back to the drawing board on the future of the pool. Its options are to deliver what it can within the agreed budget, or reopen the pool with none of the planned upgrades.

Epping Aquatic Centre has been closed since April 2024.Credit: Janie Barrett

If the council takes the second option, a source not authorised to speak publicly confirmed, it would have to spend at least $1 million to make the centre swimmable again after decommissioning.

The council did not respond to questions about the cost of reopening the facility and a spokesperson said discussions about the future of the pool were continuing.

Artist’s impression of the Epping Aquatic Centre upgrades.Credit: City of Parramatta Council

“Council will be considering potential refurbishment, re-opening and budget options at the next meeting of council on May 12, 2025,” they said.

It’s not the first time Epping Pool has faced challenges. In 2015, the aquatic centre came under the control of Hornsby Shire Council which, at the time, recommended the site be closed permanently and demolished. It led to locals forming the Save Epping Pool campaign to keep it open.

In 2016, locals got their wish. Amalgamations made it the responsibility of the City of Parramatta, which revealed the planned upgrades in 2023.

These called for a new 20-metre indoor pool and upgrades to the existing 50-metre outdoor pool. A “reimagined family play area” would have shallow splash pools with beach-style entry and water play equipment.

The pool closed in April last year and was decommissioned shortly to prepare for construction. The works were anticipated to take 18 months to two years.

Epping ward councillor Cameron Maclean said the council was dedicated to finding the best possible solution for the pool’s future.

“When Parramatta Council became the custodians of that pool, that was the lifeline to the community, so I fundamentally believe we owe it to them to secure a future,” he said.

“I love the pool, I learnt to swim there, many members of the community learnt to swim there, but my love for this pool and desire to see it reopened and upgraded is not just sentimental – it’s practical.”

Parramatta joins the list of Sydney council pool projects facing serious setbacks, including North Sydney Olympic pool and Willoughby Leisure Centre.

The Sydney Morning Herald has opened its bureau in the heart of Parramatta. Email [e-mail] with news tips.

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