Parramatta Council claims progress with plans for future swimming arrangements

The City of Parramatta has advised that it is close to finalising interim arrangements for swimmers that will ensure the continuation of some of the Council’s aquatic services following the closure of the Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Centre.

Since the NSW Government announced the pool would have to close at the end of March 2017 to make way for the development of the new Western Sydney Stadium, Council has been investigating a number of solutions that best fit the needs of different pool users until a new aquatic centre is operational in the City.

The Council has allocated $1 million in its budget for the implementation of interim swimming arrangements, and will also seek NSW Government support to implement these measures and provide alternatives for the people of Parramatta while a new aquatic centre is constructed.

Among the options being considered are ‘pop-up’ facilities such as temporary pools, water playgrounds, and the expansion of swimming arrangements at Lake Parramatta, as well as conducting learn-to-swim classes at pools within local schools close to the Parramatta CBD.

The Council also operates the seasonal Epping Aquatic Centre and highlights that it “has undertaken a number of upgrades at the pool since assuming control of the facility following local government amalgamations. “

The Council also highlights that it is in discussions with Cumberland Council regarding the long-term management of Granville Pool, highlighting that the Granville Pool is “one of three pools in the Cumberland area within 4kms of the Parramatta CBD.”

In a statement released to Australasian Leisure Management, City of Parramatta Administrator Amanda Chadwick advised “ensuring that people have ongoing access to aquatic facilities is a very high priority for Council and we have been undertaking extensive investigations to identify appropriate short-term options which will enable us to minimise the inconvenience for users of the Parramatta pool.

“Council regrets the closure of the current Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Centre and I want to assure residents that we are working hard to minimise the inconvenience that will be caused.

“We are also working with the State Government and Parramatta Park Trust to plan and develop a new aquatic centre in our CBD that will serve the needs of our growing community for many decades to come.”

A draft site suitability assessment of possible locations for a new swimming centre was completed for the Council in late December 2016 and has reportedly identified potential site options within the Mays Hill precinct.

The assessment forms part of a broader Master Plan for the precinct being completed by the Parramatta Park Trust and community consultation regarding a preferred pool location will begin early in the New Year.

Chadwick advised “we will be working with the State Government to ensure that the project progresses as quickly as possible, and I thank them for their support and assistance.”

City of Parramatta will engage specialist consultants to assist with the concept design and financial analysis for the planned aquatic centre, and will invite further community feedback once the NSW Government has endorsed a preferred location for the new facility.

Further details of the interim arrangements will be provided once investigations of the options available are complete in February 2017.

Images: The soon-to-be demolished Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Centre (top) and Lake Parramatta - soon to have expanded swimming arrangements? (below).

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