As Canberra swelters through another summer, a heated debate is bubbling over the future of one of the city's most cherished public amenities: the Canberra Olympic Pool in Civic. The ACT government's plan to demolish the historic pool to make way for a new Convention and Entertainment Precinct has ignited a fierce community campaign, with residents demanding more creative thinking to preserve this essential piece of civic infrastructure.
A Call for Creative Solutions Over Demolition
Advocates, including journalist Megan Doherty, are urging the government to reconsider its gung-ho development approach. They argue that outdoor pools like the one in Phillip, the Big Splash water park, and the Civic pool are fundamental community assets that provide rest, recreation, and crucial reprieve from the heat. Sarah Ransom, spokeswoman for the Save Phillip Pool Community, succinctly framed the issue on ABC Radio Canberra, stating that public swimming pools are "basic local council stuff." The central question being asked is why Canberra seems unable to get this basic service right.
The sentiment is that these facilities should be treated like the bus service—a public good that may operate at a loss but is provided for the greater benefit of the community. Even with seasonal use, their value as a social and recreational hub is immeasurable and, once lost, is unlikely to ever be recovered.
The Staggering Cost of "Early Design" and a Viable Alternative
New figures have intensified the controversy. An ACT government spokesperson confirmed that the Commonwealth and ACT governments have jointly committed approximately $62 million solely to the early design phase of the proposed Canberra Convention and Entertainment Precinct. This revelation has left many citizens questioning the priorities at play.
Meanwhile, the government has earmarked $138 million for a new Canberra Aquatic Centre in Commonwealth Park, intended as a replacement for the Civic pool. However, it has already been confirmed that this new centre will not include a competition-level dive pool like the iconic five-metre deep one at the Canberra Olympic Pool. Both Sport and Recreation Minister Yvette Berry and Chief Minister Andrew Barr have only offered vague possibilities, using words like "could," "might," and "maybe" regarding future dive facilities elsewhere.
Campaigners propose a straightforward alternative: divert a portion of the $138 million aquatic centre fund—say, $40 million—into a serious upgrade of the existing Civic pool. This would leave $98 million for the aquatic centre, plus the $62 million design fee, totalling $160 million that could be used to refurbish the existing convention centre. The question posed is whether $160 million is insufficient to "jazz up" the convention centre Canberra already has.
A Flawed Consultation and What's Really at Stake
Doubts persist about whether the community's voice, particularly that of younger Canberrans, has been genuinely heard. The government's "Your Say" consultation on the Commonwealth Park Aquatic Centre has been criticised as a box-ticking exercise. Notably, the list of important facilities in one question omitted any mention of a dive pool or diving boards, despite these being central features of the Civic pool for decades.
On a recent sweltering day, the Canberra Olympic Pool was a vibrant community scene. Teenagers laughed and played, families relaxed on shady grass, and one young man even played a ukulele by the dive pool's edge. This scene captured the magic of the space—a magic that a generic, indoor-focused aquatic centre is unlikely to replicate. The pool represents more than just swimming lanes; it's a vital social space for older kids, teenagers, and young adults, offering fun and a sense of community that is hard to quantify but easy to feel.
As 2026 unfolds, the call is clear: before rushing to demolish and rebuild, the ACT government should think outside the box. Investing in and upgrading the existing, beloved Canberra Olympic Pool could satisfy community needs while still pursuing other civic projects, preserving a piece of Canberra's heart for generations to come.
