Parramatta’s giant ring aquatic and leisure centre is under construction, with the first sod turned at a ceremony on 30 March.
The $88.6 million centre is designed by Grimshaw, Andrew Burges Architects and McGregor Coxall, who won a design competition for the project in 2018. Located in the Mays Hill Precinct of Parramatta Park, it will feature a 10-lane, 50-metre outdoor pool, encircled by the distinctive ring-form, along with a 25-metre indoor pool, learn-to-swim facilities, a cafe, and fitness and parking facilities.
Parramatta’s aquatic and leisure centre designed by Grimshaw, Andrew Burges Architects and McGregor Coxall.
Parramatta mayor Bob Dwyer noted that community had been waiting a long time for the build to get underway.
“This is a historic moment for the people of Parramatta, as work begins on one of the country’s best public aquatic and leisure centres in Australia’s best city,” he said.
“We know the community has been eager to get back into the water, so I’m excited that City of Parramatta Council has teamed up with respected and experienced builder Lipman to ensure we deliver a first-class facility as soon as possible.”
The project is expected to be completed by early 2023.
It is jointly funded by the council and the state government, which is investing $38.5 million from the Restart NSW Fund.
The council, on top of its initial commitment of $38.5 million, is investing an extra $11.6 million to increase the facility’s capacity and “future-proof” it to accommodate Parramatta’s rapid growth.
Geoff Lee, Liberal member for Parramatta, said, “Parramatta deserves a pool which caters for competition, learn-to-swim classes, recreation and relaxation. This aquatic centre will be the envy of communities all over the state. It will be a complex with versatility designed to meet the needs of Parramatta now and in the future for decades to come.”
Grimshaw, Andrew Burges Architects and McGregor Coxall also collaborated on another major aquatic centre, the Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Green Square, which opened earlier in 2021.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
