After six years in the making, the City of Parramatta’s $88.6 million swimming, fitness and wellness hub Parramatta Aquatic Centre has opened its doors to the community.
Located within Parramatta Park on the doorstep of the CBD, the Parramatta Aquatic Centre (PAC) is a year-round destination where people can swim, train in the gym or relax in the steam, spa and sauna area.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Sameer Pandey said excited community members were lined up as doors opened to be among the first to explore the new world-class centre.
“The smiles on the faces of the kids splashing around says it all – this is a facility that will bring joy to our whole community,” Cr Pandey said.
“We’ve created a place where our community can have fun for generations to come. A place where kids will swim their first lap and race to victory at the swimming carnival, where future Olympians will be nurtured, where families can cool down on a long, hot summer day and where locals can train and wind down all year-round.”
Cr Pandey said the multi-purpose nature of the centre meant it was expected to attract more than one million visitors a year – about 10 times the annual visitation to the Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Centre.
“There are so many reasons to visit the PAC – from taking the kids to swimming lessons or to cool down in our ‘splash and play’ area to training in one of the three pools, working out in the gym or taking a yoga class and then relaxing in the sauna afterwards,” Cr Pandey said.
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said: “Parramatta Aquatic Centre provides western Sydney with a modern, state-of-the-art facility that meets the needs of the fast-growing region.
“The NSW Government’s $38.5 million investment ensures people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the benefits that swimming offers.”
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said: “Parramatta Aquatic Centre is an example of how State and Local government can work together for the benefit of the community.”
“After being involved in this project from its inception, it’s fantastic to be here today to celebrate its opening with the people who fought so hard to ensure Parramatta has an aquatic facility that serves the needs of the community.”
Designed by Grimshaw Architects, Andrew Burges Architects and McGregor Coxall, and built by construction company Lipman, the PAC sits seamlessly in Parramatta Park’s lush surrounds.
Accessibility is at the forefront of its design with features including the City’s first all-abilities pool with ramps to enter the 50m and 25m pool and a level, beach-style entry into the water ‘splash and play’ zone. There are accessible change rooms; lifts and ramps to all indoor and outdoor areas and gym equipment suitable for people of all abilities.
The $88.6 million project was co-funded by Council and the NSW Government, which invested $38.5 million from the Restart NSW Fund and will employ more than 140 people.
