Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre Aerial Photo. Source: Credit to Brett Boardman Photography.
  • Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre has been opened in Sydney's Green Square
  • The centre features a variety of facilities which everyone can enjoy
  • Is the first aquatic centre awarded a 5-star rating by the Green Building Council of Australia

Inspired by Sydney’s best-loved ocean pools, the Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre is the latest development in one of Sydney’s fastest-growing precincts.

Located within the inner-city precinct of Green Square, the $106.5 million facility features a 50 metre heated outdoor pool, a 25-metre indoor pool, kids’ water play area, an indoor hydrotherapy pool, a gym, a cafe, two meeting rooms available for hire, an expansive synthetic sports field, an outdoor fitness area, and a bronze sculpture Bangala by Aboriginal Elder Aunty Julie Freeman and artist Jonathan Jones.

Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre features a 25 metre indoor pool with the third largest moveable pool floor in the world. Source: Credit to Brett Boardman Photography.

Waste, water and energy initiatives plus design features make this the first aquatic centre in Australia to hold a 5-star rating under the Green Building Council of Australia design rating scale.

The centre was designed by Andrew Burges Architects and Grimshaw with landscape architects Taylor Cullity Lethlean.

The concept was chosen from more than 140 other entries in an anonymous design competition run by the City of Sydney.

Construction began in 2018, with management provider Belgravia Leisure now operating the new facility.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore expressed her delight at the opening of the pool complex, saying it’s a place for everyone to enjoy.

“For children there’s a shallow pool for waterplay with slides, spraying devices and a tipping bucket, while adults can also make use of a hydrotherapy pool, the gym, fitness studios and outdoor yoga deck.

“This is the City’s sixth and largest aquatic centre right in the middle of one of Sydney’s fastest growing precincts. From children splashing and serious swimmers improving their lap times to gym-lovers and sports teams on the field, this terrific centre has something for everyone.”

The building contains sustainability features that contributed to the 5-star rating, using a combination of rooftop solar panels and cogeneration systems to produce electricity for the centre and park operations. The heat by-product of the cogeneration system is used for warming the pool water.

Surplus electricity will power neighbouring buildings in the Green Square community and cultural precinct.

The facility is also the first aquatic centre in New South Wales to implement an Access Key guide, which provides information, prediction, structure, orientation and sensory integration to help visitors with Autism, cognitive disability, intellectual disability, dementia and Alzheimer’s to familiarise themselves with the facility and plan their journey ahead of time online.

The pools have accessible entry options including ramps and hoists and changing and toilet facilities for people with disability. Specialty-accessible fitness equipment is also available.

The centre is only a 10-minute walk from Green Square train station, providing extreme convenience of location. It sits within the Green Square urban renewal area, which is expected to house 62,000 residents by 2031, among the highest residential density in Australia.

The City is investing $550 million in extensive infrastructure and streetscaping works throughout the area, as well as world-class community facilities including a library and plaza, childcare centre, creative hub, public artworks and parks.



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