Parramatta Aquatic Centre opens with Olympian Emma McKeon

Starved of a public swimming pool for six years, Parramatta hosted an Olympic-sized celebration to anoint its $88.6m aquatic centre.

Olympian Emma McKeon with A’mia Brunetta, 8 Rocky Brunetta 10, Ava Williams 9, Lucia Williams, 6 and Florence Williams, 7 at the opening of Parramatta Aquatic Centre. Picture: David Swift

It is the new western Sydney pool dubbed “better than Bondi Icebergs” to churn out laps.

After a six-year wait, Parramatta swimmers officially open the $88.6m Parramatta Aquatic Centre on Monday, alongside Olympic legend Emma McKeon.

“(Icebergs) is no longer the coolest pool in Sydney – it’s the Parramatta Aquatic Centre,’’ Parramatta Council chief executive Gail Connolly said. “We’ve got it right here – this centre is iconic for the city.’’

On a sunbathed morning, Olypmic superstar McKeon described the facility as “spectacular”.

“It’s an awesome opportunity for the community and hopefully an awesome opportunity for some young, aspiring athletes coming through as well,’’ she said.

Children enjoy the splash play area. Picture: David Swift

“I think a facility like this really has an opportunity to create those dreams for kids.’’

The council project, which the former government injected $38.5m towards, did not all go swimmingly from 2017, when the 58-year-old Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Centre was obliterated to make way for CommBank Stadium.

Nearmap, has captured six aerial images of Parramatta Aquatic Centre between 24/01/21 and 12/08/23 of the construction process from the beginning to end. (Parramatta Pools).

A delay over funding and Covid interruptions meant it took six scorching summers to construct the facility, which features a 50m pool, a 25m pool, splash playground, gym and sauna for a capacity of 1764 patrons.

The year-round facility will welcome a million patrons each year.

By comparison, the former pool on O’Connell St hosted 100,000 swimmers over the same period and will see 140 new jobs.

Parramatta City Swim Club member Matt Sinclair, of Kellyville, gave the new site a tick of approval.

Models Chloe Reynolds, Annabel Bassil, Jessica Grace, Tristen Nguyen and Trinity St Lewis donned vintage swimwear as a nod to the former Parramatta War. Picture: David Swift

Three generations of the 21-year-old’s family have swam in the club for 40 years.

Unlike regular Olympics sized public swimming pools, Parramatta’s 50m pool is more shallow. It ranges from 1.2m to 1.5m deep, to cater for the community’s high migrant community who are learning to swim and not confident in the water.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Sameer Pandey cuts the ribbon at the pool with councillor Paul Noack, Olympian Emma McKeon, Parramatta state Labor MP Donna Davis and councillor Kellie Darley. Picture: David Swift

A wall in the middle also allows half the main pool to be petitioned for training or swimming lessons.

The Kevin Hession stand is shaded but much of the centre, designed by Andrew Burges Architects, is exposed to the sun.

Parramatta state Labor MP Donna Davis, who fought to save the pool from demolition under the former Liberal government, said the community was excited about their new pool.

“The PAC has a hard act to follow, but there is one reliable constant and that is hot chips and I’ve checked that already,’’ she joked.

“Who doesn’t love an outdoor pool, especially one as beautiful as this?’’

Originally published as Parramatta Aquatic Centre opens with Olympian Emma McKeon