Canberra's only water park, Big Splash, is up for sale, but the owners have assured the community that the existing water slides will not be demolished. The Macquarie site has been closed for years, drawing frustration from locals who missed the facility.
The owners, Purdon, stated in a release that temporary ticketing, change rooms, and food facilities will be installed before the main pool reopens by November 1, as required by Access Canberra. The company emphasized that work to reopen the site will continue regardless of the sale timetable.
Community group Save Big Splash welcomed the sale as a positive outcome. Spokesperson Amelia Tattam said, 'The slides are staying and the lease goes with the site. And now the right operator has the chance to step in and give this place the future it deserves.'
Local politicians expressed cautious optimism. Ginninderra Labor MLA Tara Cheyne noted the update was a relief but remained skeptical. She said the owners are now 'in tune with comments from the community' and are looking to sell, not redevelop or demolish. She reiterated that the November 1 reopening date is non-negotiable, with enforcement powers if unmet.
Ginninderra Greens MLA Jo Clay stated that the community's persistence paid off, adding that the site was successful for a long time and that any new operator must understand that rezoning is not possible. She suggested the government could consider buying the site, but Cheyne said no position would be taken without reviewing sale documents.
