Canberra stadium plan threatens $137.8m aquatic centre site
A proposed arena and the Canberra Aquatic Centre both need the same central Canberra land.
Plans for a stadium overlooking Lake Burley Griffin have collided with the government's work. The project is a $137.8 million aquatic centre.
The stadium and the pool need the same land in central Canberra. Feasibility studies may reveal the stadium needs more space.
ACT Treasurer Chris Steel said planning for the pool is progressing. Stadium supporters must move quickly to avoid the projects becoming incompatible.
Terry Slevin is president of Friends of Canberra Olympic Pool. He warned that the aquatic centre must not be "sacrificed on the altar of trying to figure out how to make a football stadium work".
He said the community would be "very, very upset" if the pool lost priority. The stadium proposal sits on a five-acre parcel of church land.
The aquatic centre is set between the lake and that same land.
- $137.8 million
- Aquatic centre cost
- five acres
- Stadium site size
- Chris Steel
- Sport Minister
- West Basin
- Alternative pool location
Why it mattersCanberra residents care about both swimming facilities and major events venues. But the government may only deliver one.
AustraliaThe ACT needs the aquatic centre for sporting and health infrastructure; a stadium could attract conferences and major events to the CBD.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
