Long wait over as Parramatta gets a sparkling new aquatic centre

Six years ago, Parramatta’s War Memorial Swimming Centre was demolished to make way for the state-of-the-art Western Sydney Football Stadium.

While the residents were excited by the new stadium, they were disheartened by the loss of their much loved pool, and the long time frame set for a replacement.

But now the new Parramatta Aquatic Centre has been opened – and it has been worth the wait.

Set in the traditional lands of the Burramattagalein in UNESCO World Heritage listed Parramatta Park, the distinctive landscape concept acknowledges the site’s history while creating a new, inclusive community hub.

The design comprises swimming areas arranged around a ring carved into a hill. The centre features a 50-metre, 10-lane outdoor pool with seating; a 25-metre, indoor recreational pool; an indoor Learn-to-Swim pool; an indoor water playground; multipurpose community rooms; steam, spa and sauna facilities; a health and wellness centre, including a modern gym and program rooms; a café; and car parking.

All of the facilities are predominantly organised into a single level for ease of access.

The rooftop covering the sunken pools upholds the open space requirements of the precinct master plan, retaining community access and heritage views to Old Government House.

Andrew Burges of designer ABA says their goal was to provide a completely new vision of what an aquatic centre could be.

“We wanted to create a destination for the community, one that provides opportunity for many forms of recreation in a safe and inspiring facility that feels more like a landscape setting than a building.”

There will be more on this new major project in Edition 150 of SPLASH!.