The $88.6 million new Parramatta Aquatic Centre, designed by Grimshaw, Andrew Burges Architects and McGregor Coxall, opened its doors to the public on 25 September.
The 40,000 square metre facility contains a 50-metre, 10-lane heated outdoor pool, a 25-metre, 8-lane indoor pool, a learn-to-swim indoor pool, an indoor splash play area, as well as a fitness centre, spa, sauna, steam room, cafe and creche.
The facility also includes 30,000 square metres of landscaped outdoor spaces.
The building is set within the topography of the May’s Hill precinct in Parramatta Park, on the traditional lands of the Burramattaga. The landscape concept of the project acknowledges the site’s history as a gathering place. Parramatta Park is also inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the sunken building minimally impacts the landscape setting.
Parramatta Aquatic Centre by Grimshaw, Andrew Burges Architects and McGregor Coxall.
Image: Peter Bennetts
A series of skylights provides natural light for the areas below, while simultaneously filtering the UV rays. Solar panels on the roof generate 273 megawatts per hour of energy savings.
The outdoor pool is encircled by a perimeter “ring.” Architect Andrew Burges told ArchitectureAU in 2019 that the “ring” serves multiple purposes: pool fencing, shading and circulation.
A series of linear pathways in the park also converges around the centre, connecting the CBD-facing park, entry plaza, main pool space, ring walk and verandah.
“Our goal was to provide a completely new vision of what an aquatic centre could be – we wanted to create a destination for the community, one that provides opportunity for many forms of recreation in a safe and inspiring facility that feels more like a landscape setting than a building.”
Parramatta Aquatic Centre by Grimshaw, Andrew Burges Architects and McGregor Coxall.
Image: Peter Bennetts
The surrounding parkland has also been planted with 562 new native trees in an effort to rehabilitate the biodiversity of the site. A dense forest that surrounds the pool helps to combat urban heat island effects.
“The new Parramatta Aquatic Centre will provide a much-needed destination for swimming, fitness, and leisure in Western Sydney,” said Josh Henderson, project director at Grimshaw. “The design team, City of Parramatta and builder have all collaborated to create a valuable community asset that is enjoyable to experience, well made, highly functional and accessible. As a new home to many community groups, the opening of the facility will provide vibrant landscaped public spaces for fitness, sport, learn to swim classes and for time with friends and family.”
City of Parramatta lord mayor Sameer Pandey said, “Parramatta Aquatic Centre has been thoughtfully designed with the community in mind. The architects have done a wonderful job creating a space that the people of Parramatta, and greater Sydney, can enjoy for generations to come. This is more than just a pool – it’s a place where the community can swim laps in the pool, work out in the gym, relax in the spa, steam and sauna or simply enjoy a coffee in the café. A lot of memories will be made here – of local kids swimming their first lap, of families splashing around together on a long, hot summer day.”
