Concept Development

WHY DOES SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK NEED A NEW RIVERSIDE POOL?

Climate change modelling has shown that Western Sydney will become increasingly affected by urban heat, with serious impacts on public health and equality. Public swimming pools are an important community asset for exercise, recreation and relief from heatwaves. They are accessible, cheap to use and promote physical and social wellbeing. As a low-tech alternative to an air conditioned indoor swim centre or energy consuming wave pool, a riverside pool promotes a deeper connection to and investment in the health & condition of the Parramatta River.

WHAT ARE THE DESIGN CONSTRAINTS?

The Parramatta River at Sydney Olympic Park is not currently suitable for swimming due to pollution. The design needs to contribute towards a long-term strategy for remediation of the river via Water Sensitive Urban Design strategies. To be truly sustainable, the project must be long-lasting, impervious to climate-change related sea-level rise, resistant to harsh elements, low-tech and low maintenance. The design must provide a cool and thermally comfortable public environment to be a freeto-access place of relief on hot days.