Uncertain future for Warringah Aquatic Centre

The Warringah Aquatic Centre, Sydney's major swimming facility when it was opened in 1979, faces possible demolition under plans to relocate a local high school on adjacent land.

As part of the Northern Beaches Hospital draft precinct structure plan released by the NSW Government in November last year, the site of the Forest High School would become a new town centre, with a new high school moving to sportsfields next to the Aquatic Centre.

The consultation says that the future of the pool will depend on local feedback.

While Northern Beaches Council Administrator says a new aquatic facility would be built, at an unspecified location, if the current Warringah Aquatic Centre is demolished, locals fear that the facility might be lost.

Following the permanent closure of the Parramatta Swimming Centre to make way for the new Parramatta Stadium, regular users of the Frenchs Forest facility have started a Facebook community to save the pool.

However, in an open letter posted on the Northern Beaches Council website on Saturday 18th February, Pearson writes "the plan to locate the school on the Warringah Aquatic Centre site is totally dependent on the creation of a new pool facility, of equal amenity, being provided at no additional cost to Council.

"The up zoning of the school site should generate more than enough value to pay for the new school, the new Aquatic Centre and deliver a modern, vibrant Town Centre in the best location."

The current Warringah Aquatic Centre has an indoor 50 meter competition pool, frequently used for swimming carnivals; a diving pool and an outdoor toddlers’ pool along with a 1,000-seat grandstand.

The pool hosted the 1988 Australian Olympic swimming trials.

The new high school development would also see the loss of a number of sportsfields in an area that already experiences a shortage of sportsgrounds.

The Save Warringah Aquatic Centre community can be viewed at www.facebook.com/savetheWAC/

Image: Warringah Aquatic Centre

Article amended 9.30am 21st February 2017. The earlier version referred to the Centre hosting the 1992 Olympic swimming trials.

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