Former Golf Club to be redeveloped as site for new Parramatta Aquatic Centre
The NSW Government has identified land at the former Parramatta Golf Course as being a suitable site for a new aquatic centre to replace the Parramatta Swimming Centre – which is being demolished as part of the redevelopment of the Parramatta Stadium.
Following work between the NSW Government, the City of Parramatta and the site’s owner, Parramatta Park Trust, NSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the eastern end of the former Parramatta Golf Course, which went into voluntary administration in April last year, has been pinpointed
Minister Ayres explained “a feasibility study will now be conducted to confirm the suitability of the former golf course site and a master plan will be developed to explore opportunities for the area to be upgraded and repurposed for public use.”
However, the Minister did not commit any NSW Government funds for the new facility, adding “subject to the finalisation of funding arrangements, the City of Parramatta Council will be responsible for delivering the new aquatic centre.”
Operated by the City of Parramatta, the current Parramatta Swimming Centre sits on land leased, on a month-by-month basis, from the Parramatta Park Trust.
Rather than being incorporated into the design of the new Parramatta/ Western Sydney Stadium project, the outdoor facility is to be demolished.
A statement from the NSW Government claimed that the Parramatta Swimming Centre was being demolished because of the “bigger footprint ... needed as a result of modern security requirements that mean more circulation zones around the stadium and due to the need for improved pedestrian and vehicle access.”
Administrator of the City of Parramatta, Amanda Chadwick, said the NSW Government’s masterplan is a good opportunity for Council to design and build a modern aquatic facility close to the CBD.
She explained “we know our residents and workers want and need a swimming centre that is close to the CBD to support health and fitness and to provide swimming classes and school activities.
“We look forward to working with the Government, particularly the Parramatta Park Trust, on the feasibility and master planning work.”
Located to the south of the Parramatta River, just along from the thriving Westfield Parramatta shopping centre, the Parramatta Golf Course had also been suggested as a site for the relocated the Powerhouse Museum (Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences).
The former nine-hole golf course occupies 25 hectares of public open space.
Parramatta Swimming Centre will remain open throughout the 2016/17 summer season until the end of March 2017.
The master planning process will be led by the Parramatta Park Trust.
Images: The current Parramatta Swimming Centre (top) and the former Parramatta Golf Course (below).
2nd June 2016 - PARRAMATTA STADIUM REDEVELOPMENT ENTERS DESIGN PHASE
15th April 2016 - PARRAMATTA POOL SET FOR DEMOLITION AS PART OF PIRTEK STADIUM REDEVELOPMENT
14th April 2016 - SYDNEY’S STADIUM DEBATE OVER AS NSW GOVERNMENT COMMITS $1.6 BILLION TO REFURBISHMENTS
11th April 2016 - POWERHOUSE MUSEUM TO BE RELOCATED TO THE BANKS OF THE PARRAMATTA RIVER
17th February 2016 - PIRTEK STADIUM EXPANSION TO REQUIRE DEMOLITION OF PARRAMATTA SWIMMING CENTRE
9th July 2015 - HOLROYD CITY COUNCIL ADVANCES PLANS FOR REGIONAL AQUATIC WELLNESS CENTRE
