Construction on Parramatta's new $88.6 million aquatic and leisure centre is officially underway following the appointment of a builder for the state-of-the-art community facility.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer today joined Dr Geoff Lee, Member for Parramatta, and representatives from construction firm Lipman to turn the first sod at Mays Hill in Parramatta Park, marking an exciting next step of the much-anticipated project.
"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," Cr Dwyer 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."
Dr Geoff Lee, Member for Parramatta, said Parramatta is ready to dive into building the new aquatic centre and that this is also the news that the community has been waiting for.
"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," Dr Lee said.
Lipman CEO Rob MacKee said: "Lipman is thrilled to be delivering the Parramatta aquatic and leisure centre - a flagship project for Western Sydney. We look forward to working closely with City of Parramatta Council to help make it one of Sydney's most iconic aquatic and leisure facilities, and seeing it thrive for many years to come."
Expected to be completed in early 2023, the project is being co-funded by Council and the NSW Government, which is investing $38.5 million from the Restart NSW Fund.
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.
The new 40,000 square metre aquatic and leisure centre has been designed to integrate seamlessly with the lush surrounds of Parramatta Park. It will include a 10-lane, 50m outdoor pool; 25m indoor pool; indoor learn-to-swim pool; indoor water playground; spa and sauna facilities; café; fitness centre; multipurpose community rooms; and up to 200 parking spaces.
Solar panels will also be installed on sections of the centre's roof, generating approximately 142,000 kilowatts of power annually, while more than 500 trees indigenous to the area will be planted.
"This is a once-in-a-generation project and we are making sure it goes the distance. We are investing more to meet the growing demands of our City," Cr Dwyer said.
"This state-of-the art facility will be a place the people of Parramatta and Greater Sydney can enjoy for many years to come - whether to train, compete or simply to have fun with friends and family."
About Parramatta's new aquatic and leisure centre
- The new aquatic and leisure centre will cover 40,000 square metres in Parramatta Park.
- The centre includes a 50m, 10-lane outdoor heated pool with seating; a 25m indoor recreational pool; an indoor learn-to-swim pool; an indoor splash play area; multipurpose community rooms; spa and sauna facilities; fitness centre; café; and up to 200 parking spots.
- The project will cost $88.6 million, with Council contributing additional funds to future-proof the much-needed community facility.
- 60,000 cubic metres of dirt will be moved during construction and more than 500 trees indigenous to the area will be planted.
- Solar panels on the roof of the facility's health and wellbeing centre will generate more than 142,000 kilowatts of power annually, 20 times the energy an average Australian home uses.
About Lipman
- Lipman is an Australian family-owned commercial builder that has operated in Sydney for more than 55 years.
It has proven experience in delivering aquatic and leisure facilities, including Raging Waters Sydney (formerly Wet'n'Wild) and Trinity Grammar Aquatic Centre, as well as key public infrastructure such as Parramatta's O'Connell Street Public School.
