Sport and Recreation Minister Yvette Berry has confirmed that the new Canberra Aquatic Centre in Commonwealth Park will not include a dive pool, sparking concerns among user groups that the facility may be lost to the capital forever. Speaking on ABC Radio Canberra on Tuesday, Berry stated that while there would be no dive pool at the Civic facility, one might be built elsewhere.
A spokesperson for Chief Minister Andrew Barr later clarified that a dedicated indoor Olympic-standard dive pool had been ruled out for the $138 million project due to site constraints and budget limitations. However, the spokesperson noted that 'recreation diving facilities' could still be considered as design work continues this year, with cost assessments to inform the final project scope.
User groups have reacted angrily, arguing that past promises for a dive pool elsewhere in Canberra have never materialized. Friends of Canberra Olympic Pool vice-president Louise Watson expressed disappointment, stating that with such a large budget, the facility should include a replacement five-metre dive pool. She criticized the choice of Commonwealth Park as a challenging site, suggesting pool users should not suffer as a result.
Canberra Diving Academy coach Ann Widdup highlighted that a dive pool was previously promised as part of a second stage at Stromlo and later flagged for West Basin, but neither plan eventuated. Minister Berry maintained that a deep-dive pool remains under consideration for another location, though she could not repeat past promises that a new dive pool would be built before the existing one at Canberra Olympic Pool is demolished.
The new aquatic centre, supported by the federal government, is scheduled for construction in 2027 and 2028. It will include a 50-metre pool and outdoor splash areas, but tender documents make no mention of a dive pool. The ACT government aims to provide as many features as possible within the available budget, with design work ongoing to finalize the project scope.
