Phillip Pool will eventually make way for a multi-unit residential project. But will Geocon’s proposed indoor aquatic centre be enough for the growing Woden Town Centre? Photo: Geocon.
A new 50-metre outdoor pool may still be on the table for Woden, potentially in Eddison Park, despite plans for an indoor aquatic centre in the proposed Geocon development on the current pool site.
Last week, Geocon unveiled plans for a 25-metre, eight-lane indoor lap pool and other facilities as part of the first stage of its plans for the site – two 13-storey towers made up of 286 apartments, with a gap in between to allow for a large skylight over the aquatic centre.
The second stage will be developed where the 50-metre pool currently sits.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said if Geocon’s plans were approved, there should not be a need for another indoor facility, but a seasonal outdoor pool was another matter.
“The value of having an indoor facility is it’s [open for] 12 months, and it’s not just a 25-metre pool, it’s a range of other facilities like learn to swim and the like,” Mr Barr said.
“But, of course, Canberra will need a network of outdoor pools. There is one in Manuka and there is one in Dickson, there’s Big Splash in Belconnen, so whether the south side may need an outdoor pool is something that we will look at.”
Mr Barr said the new government would undertake a feasibility study into future sporting facilities, including a recreational pool, in the Woden Town Centre, as promised during the election campaign.
He said there would not be many locations in the town centre other than Eddison Park that could accommodate a large outdoor pool.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr says any outdoor pool in Woden would have to be built by government. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
Critics of the Geocon proposal, such as new MLA Fiona Carrick, argue that its aquatic centre, while being open all year round, would not be big enough to meet the demand in the growing Woden catchment.
“Woden attracts people moving through to their workplaces in the north, so the pool is in a very convenient location for people to stop and exercise on the way to and from work, and there are many pool users, including lap swimmers, squad trainees, water polo players and kids,” Ms Carrick said.
They also would prefer a pool with outdoor green space.
The feasibility study would look at whether there would be sufficient demand for another facility, given it would be only open over the summer months.
“You need a certain number of indoor facilities that suit lap swimmers and swimming clubs and all of those sorts of uses, but your casual recreational user who wants to sit in the shade, under a tree and then have a dip in the water with their family is a very different sort of aquatic facility,” Mr Barr said.
He said that kind of pool would have to be built by the government.
“There’s no money in pools, so the private sector would not build it of their own accord there unless you have gyms and a range of other services,” Mr Barr said.
He said Eddison Park was the most likely location, but the government was open to other suggestions.
But any proposal was a long way off, with only feasibility work to be done this term.
The Geocon pool proposal also includes a splash pad, learn-to-swim area, toddlers’ swimming area, leisure swimming area, “program pool with relaxation area”, a steam and sauna room, café, as well as an outdoor water play/splash pad and entertainment area.
The entire concept for the pool and ice skating rink on the corner of Melrose Drive and Launceston Street opposite Geocon’s freshly completed WOVA development is for five towers, the tallest being 17 storeys, to be built in three stages.
The precinct will also include ground-floor shops, a central landscaped plaza and laneways.
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