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Parramatta Aquatic Centre (PAC)
Parramatta Aquatic Centre (PAC)
A circular civic oasis that merges recreation, architecture and parkland
About the building
Located in the Mays Hill Precinct, on the lands of the Dharug people, Parramatta Aquatic Centre (PAC) is a highly accessible, state-of-the-art aquatic and leisure destination that serves the diverse needs of the rapidly growing community.
Opened in 2023, PAC was designed by a consortium comprising Andrew Burges Architects, Grimshaw Architects and landscape architects McGregor Coxall. Mays Hill’s history as a place to look out at the emerging colonial town of Parramatta informed the heritage requirement that it be retained as an open foreground with clear sightlines to the city. The design of PAC retains the pre-eminence of the landscape and the small-scale character of the nearby buildings. It also draws inspiration from harbour and river swimming spots, where minimal enclosures allow continuity of the environment. As a result, the deep, circular form surrounding the outdoor pool – like an oculus – appears carved out of the site, minimising the impact on the park while also defining the identity of PAC.
Other amenities embedded within the site include indoor pools and a splash zone, fitness studios, a gym, sauna, spa, creche, and cafe. The curved glazed wall between the indoor and outdoor pools provides a sense of connection, and the elevated pathway that loops off the park’s path system offers a circular promenade around the pool – a place to view both the aquatic activity and the city in the background.
Environmental performance is at the forefront of PAC’s design. Through innovative building systems, water harvesting, alternative energy strategies and passive design, the centre balances operational demands with the council’s sustainability mission to do more while using less. Together, the architecture, landscape and engineering systems create a facility that is deeply connected to place and highly efficient.
Talks, tours and more
Built
2023
Architect
Andrew Burges Architects
Grimshaw Architects
McGregor Coxall
Awards
International Olympic Committee & International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities – IOC & IAKS Architecture Prize, 2025
The Aquas, Royal Life Saving Awards Gala – Aquatic Facility of the Year, 2025
International Architecture Awards, established by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd – Winner, Landscape Architecture, 2024
NSW Architecture Awards – Sir John Sulman Medal for Public Architecture, 2024
World Architecture Festival – Winner, Best Completed Building: Sport, 2024
Australian Institute of Architects National Architecture Awards – Sir Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design, 2024
Aquatic & Recreation Institute (ARI) NSW – AH Pierce Memorial Facility of the Year, 2024
Acknowledgements
The participation of Parramatta Aquatic Centre has been made possible thanks to the City of Parramatta Council
Find out more about this building here
Parramatta Aquatic Centre (PAC)
7A Park Parade, Parramatta
Entry details
Attendees will have access to the Parramatta Aquatic Centre without the standard admission fee. This includes areas not normally open to the public, such as the back-of-house tunnel
10am–4pm
3.45pm
Talks, tours and more
Need to know
Accessible featuresThere is ramp or level (step-free) entry, and lift access to all public levels. Accessible bathrooms are available. There is an assistive listening/hearing loop and sensory maps. Parramatta Aquatic Centre is a Sunflower-friendly venue
Toilets availableAccessible toilets, Baby-changing facilities/parents room
Photography restrictedFood and drink available
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