A major recreation project which will boast a state-of-the-art indoor aquatic centre with four separate pools has been given approval for Green Square.

Councillors approved the plan to build the Green Square Aquatic Centre along with a full-size, synthetic multi-purpose playing field at the new Gunyama Park at Zetland, near to the Green Square Town Centre.

An architecture competition will be held for the aquatic centre, similar to that held for the Green Square Library and plaza that selected an innovative below-ground design by two young Sydney architects – Stewart Hollenstein with Colin Stewart Architects – as the winner from 167 entries.

Architects are asked to design an aquatic centre with a 50 metre pool, a 25 metre pool, a hydrotherapy pool and indoor water play area for children. On the same site will be a new 1.6 hectare park called Gunyama Park, which will include a children’s playground and outdoor circuit training site, as well as the multi-purpose playing field.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore says the facilities would be a boon for the growing community of Green Square residents, providing recreation and sporting facilities for people of all ages.

“Green Square is the fastest growing part of Sydney and we are working hard to provide the facilities needed to build a vibrant community where people can work, enjoy recreations and raise their families,” he says.

The City of Sydney is spending $440 million at Green Square, building roads, parks, community and childcare facilities, along with the new library and plaza in the town centre.

"The new aquatic centre will serve all members of the community, with water play areas for children, 25 and 50 metre pools for lap swimmers and those improving their swimming skills and a hydrotherapy pool for people recovering from injuries," Moore says.

Indicative Built Form of the Proposed Aquatic Centre - view toward corner of Joynton and Zetland. Image: City of Sydney.

Architects are invited to submit their concepts for the aquatic centre and park early in 2014, with the two-stage process endorsed by the Australian Institute of Architects to conclude about six months later.

Green Square is located just 4km south of the city centre, and is one of the fastest growing urban redevelopment areas in the country. It is expected that 53,000 people will be living there by 2030.

Indicative site layout and built form - proposed site layout of the aquatic centre and Gunyama Park site looking west. Image: City of Sydney.

The development will be built on vacant land Joynton Avenue in Zetland, which used to be an industrial site. It is easily accessible from the Green Square Town Centre, the city centre and the airport.

It will be connected to walking, cycling and main public transport routes, and will have underground parking for up to 100 cars.

Indicative layout of the new aquatic centre and Gunyama Park. Image: City of Sydney.

Construction is expected to take at least two years, allowing the centre and park to open in 2018.

For more information on Green Square and to view the layout plan, visit: sydneyyoursay.com.au/greensquare

Lisa Rapley

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