Construction of Parramatta’s new $88.6 million aquatic and leisure centre is officially underway following the appointment of a builder.
City of Paramatta Lord Mayor, Cr Bob Dwyer, today joined Dr Geoff Lee, Member for Paramatta and representatives from construction firm, Lipman, to turn the first sod at Mays Hill in Paramatta Park, marking an exciting step forward for the highly-anticipated project.
“This is a historic moment for the people of Paramatta, 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 that the community has been eager to get back into the water, so I’m excited that the City of Paramatta Council has teamed up with respected and experienced builder Lipman to ensure that we deliver a first-class facility as soon as possible.”
Dr Geoff Lee, Member for Paramatta, 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,” Dr Lee said.
Lipman CEO, Rob MacKee, said the company is thrilled to be delivering the flagship project for Western Sydney.
“We look forward to working closely with the City of Paramatta 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, 50-metre outdoor pool; a 25-metre indoor pool; an indoor learn-to-swim pool; an indoor water playground; spa and sauna facilities; a café; a 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.”