New Ashfield Aquatic Centre plans approved

Wednesday 28 June, 2017

Inner West Council's $23.5 million Ashfield Aquatic Centre redevelopment will be opened in time for the 2019/20 summer swimming season, with a concept design and funding approved last night.

Administrator of Inner West Council Mr Richard Pearson said that extensive community feedback backed the third of three designed options on public exhibition that will see a new eight-lane 50 metre pool and separate water polo pool delivered as part of the project.

“It is a really exciting project that will deliver a contemporary mix of spaces and facilities for health and well-being for the whole community to enjoy,” he said.

“The concept design we approved last night followed a tremendous level of community interest that resulted in about 1400 people giving feedback on the three design options including from members and visitors to the existing Ashfield Aquatic Centre, ‘Learn to Swim’ families, water sports and swimming clubs and users of the Bastable Street Hall.

“The community strongly supported new and contemporary facilities at the Centre, including outdoor leisure areas, children’s water play, shade and seating, improved change rooms, a health and fitness centre as well as a new café, crèche and community meeting rooms.

“There was also strong support for retention of a separate pool for water polo which has a long history at the centre and given there are two champion teams in the local government area.”

Last night’s Council meeting approved the Community Preferred Concept Design Option 3 with a number of amendments including:

• inclusion of a combined splash-pad and shallow water pool suitable for young children
• inclusion of a 25 metre grandstand on the western side of the 50 metre pool
• inclusion of shade sails over the combined splash-pad and shallow water pool, grassed areas on the western side of the 50 metre pool and grassed area on the south-eastern corner of the site
• extension of the Bastable Street carpark.

The Ashfield Aquatic Centre has over 350,000 customers per year. It is also hosts a highly successful swim school, which has an average of 15,000 visits per month and is regularly used for school swimming carnivals and a range of water sports.

With a new construction contract to be awarded early next year, construction is planned to commence in early May 2018 with the new Ashfield Aquatic Centre to open in October 2019.

The full community engagement report is available at www.yoursayinnerwest.com.au