THERE are going to be some enjoyable summers coming up for residents of Parramatta and Cumberland council areas with work starting on the long-anticipated Parramatta Aquatic Centre and the reopening of a refurbished Wentworthville Pool.
In the same week that the first sod was turned on the $88.6M Parramatta pool complex, Wenty Pool reopened to much fanfare for swimmers that only a few years ago were facing complete closure of the old pool.
Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer was joined by Parramatta State MP Dr Geoff Lee, and representatives from construction firm Lipman Construction at the Mays Hill site on Tuesday, May 30.
“This is a historic moment for the people of Parramatta, as work begins on one of the country’s best public aquatic and leisure centres in Australia’s best city,” Cr Dwyer said.
“We know the community has been eager to get back into the water, so I’m excited that City of Parramatta Council has teamed up with respected and experienced builder Lipman to ensure we deliver a first-class facility as soon as possible.”
Dr Lee said Parramatta is ready to dive into building the new aquatic centre and that this was the news that the community has been waiting for.
“Parramatta deserves a pool which caters for competition, learn-to-swim classes, recreation and relaxation. This aquatic centre will be the envy of communities all over the State. It will be a complex with versatility designed to meet the needs of Parramatta now and in the future for decades to come,” Dr Lee said.
Expected to be completed in early 2023, the project is being co-funded by Council and the NSW Government, which is investing $38.5M from the Restart NSW Fund.
Council, on top of its initial commitment of $38.5M, is investing an extra $11.6M to increase the facility’s capacity and future-proof it to accommodate Parramatta’s rapid growth.
The new 40,000 square metre aquatic and leisure centre has been designed to integrate seamlessly with the lush surrounds of Parramatta Park.
It will include a 10-lane, 50m outdoor pool; 25m indoor pool; indoor learn-to-swim pool; indoor water playground; spa and sauna facilities; café; fitness centre; multipurpose community rooms; and up to 200 parking spaces.
Solar panels will also be installed on sections of the centre’s roof, generating approximately 142,000 kilowatts of power annually, while more than 500 trees indigenous to the area will be planted.
“This is a once-in-a-generation project and we are making sure it goes the distance. We are investing more to meet the growing demands of our City,” Cr Dwyer said.
“This state-of-the art facility will be a place the people of Parramatta and Greater Sydney can enjoy for many years to come – whether to train, compete or simply to have fun with friends and family.”
The 60-year-old Parramatta Memorial Pool was controversially demolished in 2017 to make way for Bankwest Stadium.
