Landmark Sydney aquatic centre set to open in 2020

The City of Sydney has today revealed that its Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre, a landmark site in the Green Square urban regeneration project, will open in 2020.

Announcing the agreement of contract with Sydney-based builders CPB Contractors for the construction of the facility (located on Joynton Avenue in Zetland) work is expected to start in the coming weeks.

The largest aquatic facility to be built in Sydney in nearly 20 years, the centre will feature a 50-metre heated outdoor pool set within a larger, irregular-shaped pool inspired by the ocean pools at some of Sydney’s best-loved beaches. 

Catering for the diverse and growing Green Square community, the facility will also feature:

• A 25-metre indoor ‘program pool’ for swimming lessons;
• An indoor heated leisure water area and hydrotherapy pool;
• A creche with indoor play areas;
• A health and fitness centre;
• A multipurpose synthetic sports field suitable for use by community sporting teams; sports field change rooms, public toilets and storage facilities;
• New landscaping, lighting and a new public artwork by acclaimed Aboriginal artist Jonathan Jones.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the new pool was an important addition for Green Square, an area that will soon be home to more than 61,000 people.

Speaking today, she advised “Green Square is one of the fastest growing precincts in Australia, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure it is a wonderful urban neighbourhood with the services and facilities its residents and workers need.

“The Gunyama Park complex will be a terrific place for locals and visitors alike to exercise, relax and catch up with friends and family. The pool will have something for everyone, from serious swimmers looking to improve their lap times, to families wanting a safe place for their children to learn to swim or play.

“I’m looking forward to seeing this exciting project take shape in the coming months and know the Green Square community will be pleased to see work begin on their new aquatic centre very soon.”

CPB Contractors Managing Director Juan Santamaria said they were pleased to be selected to build the new aquatic and recreation centre following an extensive competitive tender process.

Santamaria advised “our team has both the local and international expertise and project experience to deliver significant value for the City of Sydney.

“Our flexible, multipurpose design will ensure that Gunyama Park is able to host a variety of activities, welcome locals and visitors from across Sydney, and remain adaptable to the city’s future growth requirements and sustainability expectations.”

The construction of the Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre will be completed in two stages, as the City does not currently own all portions of the land on which the complex is planned.

The full aquatic centre, multipurpose sports field and landscaped areas will be completed by early 2020, with an expanded sports field, playground and further landscaping to be completed as the remaining land becomes available.

The project will target a five-star design and as-built rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. A cogeneration scheme will heat the pools and supply electricity throughout the complex.

The Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre sits within the 278-hectare Green Square development area, which includes the suburbs of Beaconsfield and Zetland, and parts of Rosebery, Alexandria and Waterloo.

The City is spending $540 million over the next 10 years on extensive infrastructure and streetscaping works throughout the area, as well as new community facilities that also include a library and plaza, creative centre, childcare centre and more than 15 parks and open spaces.

For more information, visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/vision/green-square.

Images:  Andrew Burges Architectss' designs for the Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre. Courtesy of the City of Sydney

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