Uncertainty over future of Canberra's Big Splash pool and waterpark

Having failed to open during the summer school holiday peak season, the future of Canberra's Big Splash Waterpark is in doubt, with ACT opposition politicians calling for its reopening.

In October last year, the waterpark announced via its Facebook page that its big slides would be out of action all summer due to maintenance work. This advice (now deleted) was followed, as of 25th November, by post advised that Big Splash would open for the school holidays “but it won’t be for a couple of weeks”.

At the end of December, The Canberra Times reported that Ron Watkins, who it described as still being the owner of the attraction, had told to ACT Deputy Chief Minister and Sports Minister Yvette Berry that he wants to keep operating the facility but was facing significant maintenance costs.

In addition, in a letter to Minister Berry at the same time, Big Splash management stated it “is our intention to continue to run (Big Splash) … but currently we are working through significant rectification and maintenance work required for the safe operation of the park.

“These include, but are not limited to, fixing cracking in the pools, repainting and tiling of the pool as needed, repairing the old slide (pumps, filtration systems, structural steel and main control systems), renovating the change rooms, the kitchen and café area as well as improving the landscaping with more seating and table areas.

“We are also working with professional consultants on a plan to add other recreational facilities to upgrade the functional contents of the park for the community to be used not only in the summer season of the year. These plans are in the infancy stage but will continue to be on in accordance with any government planning requirements.”

Until now though, the waterpark remained closed with its pools empty throughout the school holidays, its telephone number disconnected and its Facebook page having had all original posts removed.

Since December, Big Splash’s website simply says the attraction is “under maintenance”, noting “website with tickets coming soon”.

Into this Shadow ACT Minister for Planning and Environment, Peter Cain has called on the ACT Government to step in, warning that without support, the community risks losing yet another cherished recreational facility.

In a statement, Cain advised “maintenance work on outdoor pools, water slides and general facilities is becoming harder and harder to perform for the operators of these facilities, and it is the community that loses out.

“The upkeep costs for outdoor pool facilities such as Big Splash are becoming unsustainable, and without help from the ACT Government, we will lose them.

“Or in the case of Phillip Pool, sold to developers and re-purposed against the community’s wishes, which is a very real possibility for the Big Splash site considering its size and location.”

ACT Greens MLA Jo Clay has sponsored a petition asking the ACT Government to step in and “bring back the Big Splash”.

The petition reads “investigate all possible avenues to keep this important community facility open for use this summer and for future generations of Canberrans, including buying the facility and operating it as a public pool.

“Guarantee that the zoning of the land as Parks and Recreation PRZ2 Restricted Assess Recreation is retained to ensure this valuable community facility remains a community facility.”

However, John Raut, who managed Canberra’s Phillip Swimming and Ice-skating Centre for more than 40 years, suspects its owners have now been overwhelmed by the level of maintenance required.

Raut told the Region website “it’s stuffed. It … needs a big input of funds, and I don’t think there would be monetary return if they (the owners) did invest the money that is required. The reality of outdoor facilities in Canberra is that they’re great for 12 weeks of the year, and then they’re vacant blocks.”

The Bring Back Big Splash petition closes Friday 28th February.

Click here for more information. 

Images: Empty pools at the attraction this week (top, credit: Canberra Notice Board Group Facebook page), now deleted posts from the Big Splash Waterpark Facebook (middle, credit: Big Splash Waterpark/Facebook) and the attraction in operation in past years (below, credit: Big Splash Waterpark).