New South Wales
The new Ashfield Aquatic Centre replaces the much loved Ashfield Pool to become one of the most important Community Recreation facilities serving Sydney’s Inner West. The Centre includes 6 waterbodies, grandstands, cafe, community areas, creche, and a fitness centre. It has been designed as a community recreation centre for all ages and demographics.
The new centre retains two older pools which are located under the striking curved roof of the pool hall. The facility includes an adjustable depth program pool that can be raised from waterpolo depth to a shallow learn-to-swim pool in minutes.
The centre provides much improved facilities which are focussed on their community use for recreational swimming, schools, toddlers, learn to swim, well as the flexible programmable pool for aquatic sports. The building gives a strong presence to the street where it creates an important meeting point which is well connected to parking and transport.
The AAC helps deliver healthy lifestyles in the Inner West. It features Aquatics and Health and Fitness services providing programs and opportunities for ages 0 years to older adults. The multi-use elements including movable pool floor, indoor/outdoor aquatics space and multi fitness studios allow for flexible programming.
The facility is exceeding projected visitation and will achieve 750k visits next year placing it in the top tier of like facilities in Australia. The strong community uptake and the resultant benefit is made possible by the successful design which meets current and future demand for the next 50 years
Client perspective
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.