ACT Government Doubles Down on Commonwealth Park for New Aquatic Centre
The ACT Government has firmly reiterated its plans to construct the new Canberra Aquatic Centre at Commonwealth Park, dismissing any reconsideration of redeveloping the existing Canberra Olympic Pool. Chief Minister Andrew Barr emphasised in the Legislative Assembly this week that the National Capital Authority initiated the proposal for the aquatic centre at this location, which secured a 50 per cent federal funding contribution for the project.
Federal Collaboration and Site Constraints
Mr Barr clarified that the NCA approached the ACT Government with the idea to enhance usage of Commonwealth Park through an aquatic facility. "Now, clearly, the NCA were the ones who approached the ACT government to offer Commonwealth Park for a pool," he stated. "They do want more usage of Commonwealth Park and they believed in their master planning process that a pool would deliver that." The government agreed, paving the way for the $138 million project, split equally between ACT and Commonwealth funds.
However, the site presents significant challenges for including a dive pool. Mr Barr explained that excavating deep into the rock at Commonwealth Park would consume a disproportionate share of the budget, making it prohibitive. "In order to dig that deep in the rock in that location, that would consume a disproportionate amount of the available project budget," he noted.
Petition Gains Momentum for Dive Pool Inclusion
Independent Member for Kurrajong Thomas Emerson has sponsored a petition urging the government to amend the tender to include a five-metre-deep dive pool with springboards and platform diving facilities, similar to those at the Canberra Olympic Pool. The petition has garnered over 700 signatures, reflecting community concern.
Mr Emerson argued that excluding dive facilities would be a step backward. "The final scope for the new aquatic centre in Commonwealth Park must include diving facilities. Anything less takes us backward, which is obviously completely unacceptable," he said. "It would be absurd to spend $138 million and end up with less than what we've already got at Civic pool. Surely a like-for-like replacement is the absolute bare minimum."
He suggested that if funding is an issue, the chief minister should collaborate with federal Labor counterparts to secure additional resources. "If the government's willing to fund diving facilities elsewhere, they should just add that funding envelope to this project. Aquatic sports like diving will be decimated in Canberra if they face a period of time in which Canberra doesn't have a deep-water dive pool," Mr Emerson warned.
Government's Alternative Plans and Historical Context
The ACT Government plans to demolish the Canberra Olympic Pool, built in 1955, to make way for a new entertainment precinct and convention centre, citing its end of useful life and expansion limitations. A government spokesperson stated, "With capacity for up to 7500 people, the new entertainment venue will be able to welcome major touring acts, large-scale conferences and sporting events that currently we are not able to attract."
Instead of including a dive pool in the Commonwealth Park centre, the government will use a forthcoming aquatic strategy to explore options for a separate dive pool elsewhere in Canberra. This strategy will consider competition-standard and recreational facilities, informed by previous feasibility work for a dive pool at Stromlo Leisure Centre. However, sporting groups remain sceptical, as past promises for new dive pools have not materialised.
"The government recognises the importance of this infrastructure for specific sporting groups and users and the need for its to be constructed in preparation for the closure of the Canberra Olympic Pool, which at this stage is expected to be closer to the end of the decade," a spokesperson said.
Next Steps and Community Engagement
Expressions of interest for an early contract involvement partner for the new aquatic centre are underway, with a contractor to be appointed in the coming months. This partnership will advance design work and shape the business case for government consideration later this year. The government has committed to ongoing engagement with stakeholders as the design progresses.
As the debate continues, the community awaits further details on how the ACT will address the diving needs while moving forward with its aquatic and entertainment infrastructure plans.
