Parramatta Aquatic Centre

The brief for PAC envisioned an integrated approach to landscape, architecture, and placemaking to service an area experiencing surging growth with a hugely diverse offering of leisure and recreational facilities. Located next to UNESCO World Heritage Listed Parramatta Park, the challenge was to be minimally disruptive. Design needed to respect remnant vegetation, celebrate the heritage vistas, and operate in harmony with the environment. Clarity was central to the outcome, with pathways necessary to unite routes to, from, and around the centre. Design seeks to expand the inclusiveness and community appeal of PAC as a civic asset for generations to come.

Located on the traditional lands of the Burramattagal, an inland group of the Dharug people, design required an understanding of the evolving needs and aspirations of the local community. In an area experiencing surging growth, PAC embodies an integrated approach to landscape, architecture, and placemaking, providing an immersive leisure experience centred around the pleasure of swimming in a park setting. PAC’s core concept was the notion of submerging the structure, where built form is concealed within the landscape, not superimposed onto it. The surrounding park had to be minimally disrupted, protecting the precincts biodiversity values and maximising its long-term sustainability.

Since opening on September 25 last year, the $88.6 million swimming, fitness and wellness hub has seen more than 20,000 attend swimming lessons, 4,000 school children attending swimming carnivals, and over 2,000 swim school program registrations. Thousands have also enjoyed the gym facilities and using the steam, spa and sauna areas. PAC is a true integration between landscape and amenity, subtly extending the surrounding Parramatta Park and forming connections between Parramatta and Cumberland Councils. With more than a million visitors expected to use this facility each year, PAC is a year-round destination for the people of Parramatta and beyond.

Design was led by Grimshaw, Andrew Burges Architects, and McGregor Coxall, who were announced as the winners of an international design excellence competition for the project in 2018, with construction by Lipman. The design comprises swimming areas arranged around the ring, carved into the topography with the health and wellness facilities acting as the buffer to Park Parade. The centre features a 50-metre, 10-lane outdoor pool with seating; a 25-metre, indoor recreational pool; an indoor Learn-to-Swim pool; an indoor water playground; multipurpose community rooms; steam, spa and sauna facilities; a health and wellness centre, including a modern gym and program rooms; a cafe; and car parking.