Parramatta’s state-of-the-art aquatic and leisure centre is one step closer to construction following approval to build the critical project.

The Sydney Central City Planning Panel has endorsed Council’s Development Application (DA) for the $77 million facility, which was exhibited for community feedback in June 2020.

Subject to relevant approvals, the project will move into an exciting phase in 2021. Council proposes to appoint the lead contractor in the first quarter of 2021 with site preparation and construction to commence shortly after. We look forward to welcoming the community at its new centre by mid-2023.

Designed by Andrew Burges Architects, Grimshaw Architects and McGregor Coxall and co-funded by the State Government, the aquatic and leisure centre will feature:

  • 50 metre, 10 lane outdoor heated pool with seating
  • 25 metre, indoor recreational pool
  • indoor Learn to Swim pool
  • indoor splash and play area
  • spa and sauna facilities
  • a range of change rooms and facilities
  • multipurpose community rooms
  • a fitness centre
  • cafe
  • 197 parking spaces.

The proposed new centre will be located at the Mays Hill Precinct in Parramatta Park. This location was decided as part of a comprehensive masterplan, following community consultation, on the 20 hectare Mays Hill Precinct.

The facility will include sensitive integration with the site’s parkland surrounds, a generous use of space and light, as well as single-level accessible entry and pathways. The design also takes into account the heritage, topography and other constraints of the Mays Hill Precinct, Parramatta Park site and will sit on the eastern portion of the former golf course, adjacent to Park Parade near the corner of Pitt Street.

Have Your Say

The Development Application (DA) for the Parramatta aquatic and leisure centre was exhibited for public feedback and submissions closed on Thursday 25 June 2020. The DA has now been approved by the Sydney Central City Planning Panel.

There will be more opportunities to have your say on the new Parramatta aquatic and leisure centre in the future.

To receive email updates on both the planning of the new aquatic and leisure centre and on interim swimming arrangements, email poolupdate@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au with your name and suburb.

What have we heard so far?

The designs have been informed by comprehensive community consultation carried out in 2017, with almost 3,000 respondents.

The focus of the consultation was to confirm community and stakeholder needs and priorities regarding the features and facilities to be included in the new centre.

  • A modern facility capable of meeting the needs of a rapidly growing population
  • An affordable space that offers low-cost options for a quick workout or a family day out
  • A combination of outdoor and indoor pools offering year round swimming opportunities
  • Complementary recreational facilities and services with the focus on aquatics
  • Inclusive access for people of all physical abilities and suited to both competent and learn-to-swim users
  • Easily accessible by car, public transport, walking and cycling
  • A uniquely ‘Parramatta’ aquatic centre – sympathetic to the natural landscape and reflecting the cultural and heritage values of the site
  • Contemporary facilities to include modern and comfortable change rooms, hot showers, and good, affordable food and beverage options.

Project information is also available on Council’s website, see https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/poolupdate

Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Parramatta is changing. Our community is expected to double in size to almost 400,000 residents by 2036. As one of the fastest-growing regions in NSW, our City needs a contemporary aquatic and leisure centre to meet our community’s needs now and for many years to come.

Aquatic and leisure facilities play an important role in providing health and wellbeing benefits for our community across all age groups, abilities, backgrounds, skills and interests. Community facilities, such as the Parramatta aquatic and leisure centre, are an important part of our City and act as a meeting place for a diverse and interactive community.

The Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool, a much-loved traditional outdoor-only facility, was closed in March 2017 to allow for the development of Bankwest Stadium. The new, larger stadium required a greater surrounding radius, including circulation zones for pedestrian and emergency vehicle access.

The new centre will be located at the Mays Hill Precinct in Parramatta Park. This location was decided as part of a comprehensive masterplan, following community consultation, on the 20 hectare Mays Hill Precinct.

The Parramatta aquatic and leisure centre will sit on the eastern portion of the former golf course, adjacent to Park Parade near the corner of Pitt Street. Part of the design brief for the new centre was to respect the open space and heritage values and district vistas from the parkland.

For more information, see the Mays Hill Precinct Master Plan on the Parramatta Park website.

The Parramatta aquatic and leisure centre reflects Council’s vision for a multipurpose, sustainable and smart project. The team has designed a facility that is more than a swimming facility. It will be a new form of social space for the community – a place to gather with family and friends, swim and play, and enhance the community’s health and wellbeing.

The design for the new aquatic and leisure centre was completed by Andrew Burges Architects, Grimshaw Architects and McGregor Coxall Landscape Architects. The consortium was chosen from a shortlist of four exceptional entries following a high-calibre international Design Excellence Competition.

Designed by Andrew Burges Architects, Grimshaw Architects and McGregor Coxall, the aquatic and leisure centre will feature a 50m, 10-lane heated outdoor pool with seating; a 25m, 8-lane heated indoor recreational pool; a dedicated, heated indoor Learn to Swim pool; indoor water playground; a range of change rooms and facilities; multipurpose community rooms; spa and sauna facilities; a fitness centre, including a modern gym and program rooms; cafe; and 200-plus parking spaces.

The centre includes sensitive integration with the site’s Parramatta Park surrounds. The building will offer a generous use of space and light, as well as single-level accessible entry and pathways. The ring enclosure that forms the primary identifying element of the design takes inspiration from both the history of farm enclosures and river swimming enclosures along the Parramatta River. The design also takes into account the heritage, topography and other constraints of the Mays Hill Precinct.

All visitors to Parramatta’s aquatic and leisure centre will have equal access. Accessible features have been incorporated in the facility’s design. These include:

  • universally accessible change facilities for people of all ages and abilities;
  • accessible lift and ramps to all indoor and outdoor areas;
  • ramps in 50m and 25m pools, and a beach-like, zero-depth entry in the water play zone.

Council wants everyone to be able to enjoy its new community facility so accessibility is at the forefront of planning and design.

City of Parramatta Council has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to establish a shortlist of construction firms who have proven ability as a lead contractor on a project of this type. This shortlist is referred to as ‘Stage 1’.

Successful construction firms shortlisted at Stage 1 will be required to submit Tenders based on preliminary design documentation and scope of work provided for in the Invitation to Tender (ITT), known as ‘Stage 2’.

The project team is currently assembling the shortlist of contractors with the expectation that Stage 2 will be completed by end of 2020.

Following the lodgement of a Development Application in May 2020, Council aims to appoint a builder and commence construction in early 2021. Due to the complexity and sensitivity of the site, as well as our obligations to our joint funding partner, the new aquatic and leisure centre is expected to officially open in mid-2023.

A Development Application has been lodged for the new facility. Council anticipates planning approval by the end of 2020 and construction to commence in early 2021.

The new aquatic and leisure centre is expected to open in mid-2023.

To receive email updates on the progress of the project, email poolupdate@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au with your name and suburb or visit the more information page.

You can also watch this page for updates, our City of Parramatta Facebook page and our City of Parramatta website.