Olympic pool rebuild
In an era when many local Councils have succumbed to overwhelming maintenance costs and been forced to close ageing swimming centres, The Hills Shire Council has committed to an exciting rebuild of the area’s only public pool, Waves Aquatic Centre at Baulkham Hills.
And, in the current bid for economic stimulus activities and jobs creation planned for the post COVID-19 crisis, the renewal of Waves is a major project that has been approved and is ready to go.
It is estimated the redevelopment of the Waves Aquatic Centre would create 170 jobs over a two-year construction and provide at least 41 full-time operational jobs over many decades as well as economic benefits spread through the community. The new pool would serve existing users and those making their homes in an area experiencing the rapid population growth of Sydney’s expansion.
A FINA-approved, fully accessible, 10-lane Olympic swimming pool capable of serving both school carnivals and elite sporting events as well as training will be the focus. Indoor and outdoor recreational pool and water play for families, essential learn-to-swim facilities, warm water accessible hydrotherapy pool and new gymnasium are also part of the redevelopment. A replacement clubhouse for the local Swimming and Lifesaving Club, as well as additional off-street parking, are also planned. The Hills Shire Council has committed to a $55 million Masterplan for Waves, and was now seeking State and Federal funding partnerships to bring the entire project to fruition.
“COVID-19 restrictions won’t be in place forever and by funding the new Waves now will not only create much-needed meaningful work over the next two years but will also mean the pool will be fully operational when we are all ready to live the Australian life outdoors again,” says Mayor Byrne.
