It is vital that Green Square’s residents, workers and visitors have open spaces in which to meet and gather, to play and exercise. A park and aquatic centre will complement the library, the plaza, other new parks, and the creative community hub on the former hospital site in creating a vibrant and active neighbourhood.
In early 2014 the City of Sydney called for architectural design competition entries for a recreation park and aquatic centre in the Green Square area and received 144 stunning designs. These designs were exhibited for public feedback online and at the Tote during May. Public feedback was provided to a jury to utilise as part of their deliberations. From five finalists, the jury has chosen a winning design by Andrew Burges Architects in association with Grimshaw and T.C.L.
Inspired by the beach pools of Sydney, the winning design creates a beautiful venue for the Green Square community which is as much about relaxing as swimming. The design features a 50-metre outdoor pool set within a large, irregular shaped “beach pool”, indoor pools and gym, all set within a beautiful park with play equipment, boardwalk and native landscaping.
Gunyama Park and Green Square Aquatic Centre have been designed to create a leisure and fitness complex with something for everyone. It will be a place to catch up with friends and family, enjoy some quiet time in the open air, do serious exercise or meet up with your sports team for training.
The design features: a 50-metre heated outdoor pool with space for lap swimming and play; a 25-metre program pool for swimming lessons; an indoor leisure pool with a range of interactive toys, including water spraying devices and tipping buckets; a hydrotherapy pool; a crèche with indoor and outdoor play areas; a full-size outdoor synthetic multipurpose sports playfield; a fully equipped gymnasium and outdoor training circuit; an outdoor playground and boardwalk; plants and landscaping inspired by the area’s Indigenous heritage.
