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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Canberra's only water park, Big Splash, up for sale; slides to remain

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Canberra's only water park, Big Splash, is being put up for sale by its owners.
  • The owners have committed to reopening the main pool by November and will install temporary facilities.
  • Community groups and local politicians have welcomed the sale, emphasizing that the water slides will remain and the lease will transfer to a new operator.

The owners of Canberra's sole water park, Big Splash, have announced they will sell the site, assuring the public that the existing water slides will not be demolished. The decision comes after years of closure and broken promises regarding the park's reopening.

This community has spent months showing up, speaking up and refusing to be ignored. Today persistence has paid off.

— Amelia TattamSpokesperson for Save Big Splash, commenting on the community's successful advocacy for the water park.

Temporary ticketing, changing rooms, and food facilities are slated for installation before the main pool's reopening in November, adhering to conditions set by Access Canberra. The company stated that efforts to make the main pool operational will continue regardless of the sale's progress. The Macquarie site has been closed for an extended period, with a previous commitment to reopen last summer not being met.

The slides are staying and the lease goes with the site. And now the right operator has the chance to step in and give this place the future it deserves.

— Amelia TattamSpokesperson for Save Big Splash, highlighting key outcomes of the sale announcement.

Community group Save Big Splash hailed the prospective sale as a significant victory. Spokesperson Amelia Tattam stated that community persistence had paid off, ensuring the slides remain and the lease transfers with the site. "This is the news we have been fighting for," Tattam said, expressing optimism that a suitable operator will emerge to secure the park's future.

Too often in this saga there's been silence or just not enough information about what's happening.

— Tara CheyneGinninderra Labor MLA Tara Cheyne expressing relief over the sale announcement after a period of uncertainty.

Local Member of the Legislative Assembly for Ginninderra, Tara Cheyne, described the update as a relief, noting a lack of clear information in the past. While expressing continued skepticism, Cheyne found the owners' current alignment with community sentiment encouraging. She confirmed the owners are looking to sell rather than redevelop or demolish, suggesting they may wish to reinvest elsewhere. Cheyne reiterated the government's non-negotiable stance on the November 1 reopening date, warning that enforcement powers would be enacted if the condition is not met.

Of course I'm still very nervous, and I'm sceptical, but I was encouraged.

— Tara CheyneGinninderra Labor MLA Tara Cheyne on her reaction to meeting with the site's owners.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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