Work advances on new Western Sydney wave pool

April 18, 2021

While the Fairfield City Council is set to close its Aquatopia waterpark for the winter season at the end of the current school holidays, work on its latest addition - an innovative new outdoor wave pool - will continue during the winter months in anticipation of it opening for the 2021/22 summer season.

The first major wave pool to be built at a public aquatic facility in Australia in several years, the attraction will be an addition to Aquatopia’s multiple waterslides and play experiences and its existing artificial wave simulator.

Being undertaken by Swimplex Aquatics, Aquatopia’s next stage features technology from Aquatic Design Group (ADG) from the USA, state-of-the-art filtration and water treatment from Swimplex Aquatics, and a custom 55-metre stainless steel pool structure from Myrtha Pools.

The pool is a four-caisson design and is powered by two large, custom built fans that act on the water with an exclusive three-way valve system to increase the height of the waves.

It features a peninsula which allows riders to join large waves every three seconds using a boogie board on either side of the pool and can also accommodate stand up surfing with board riders paddling into the waves.

The custom-built wave control system allows for variable height and size waves as well as different shapes for all levels of skill and various types of surfing equipment. The pool will be enjoyed by not only experienced surfers but will also be able to serve as a ‘learn to surf’ attraction with the safety and convenience that the ocean can’t offer with the wave generator able to create rolling, surfable waves of over one metre of height and the addition of a ‘soft walk’ padded surface under the floor of the pool will make this a very safe attraction so it can be enjoyed by surfers of all skill levels and ages.

When not in use as a surfing attraction, the pool’s 1.1 million litres of water will offer another recreational water space to the centre and will be heated to extend its operational season.

The pool will be primarily salt water, with a backup sodium hypochlorite system, which will help to make this as close to a day at the beach as you can get.

Underwater cameras will assist the lifeguards to monitor the pool and the design of the pool has been optimised for safety and accessibility by lifeguards along the edges of the pool.

Construction of the new wave pool began in October 2020 and the project is planned to be ready for the summer season.

There will also be a covered stage area for outdoor events - including moonlight cinemas - and a 150-square metre shade sale which will include children's play areas.

The project is being jointly funded by Fairfield City Council ($6.4 million) and the Federal and NSW Governments through the Western Sydney City Deal Liveability Fund ($5.6 million).

Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone recently told the Fairfield City Champion that Aquatopia was selected for the wave pool because of its "accessibility" and it will cater for the whole community.

He advised “visiting the beach can be an expensive and long trip. This new wave pool brings the fun and excitement of the beach to the backyard of Fairfield residents.

"The extra large size of the pool and the addition of breaking waves means that visitors can do more than swim. They will be able to surf too, and council will be providing opportunities for visitors to learn how to surf.

"I'm also glad that we will be providing even more of our popular cabanas for families to hire and enjoy. They are the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or just relax together in the shade."

The project is being jointly funded by Fairfield City Council ($6.4 million) and the Federal and NSW Governments through the Western Sydney City Deal Liveability Fund ($5.6 million).

New all-abilities playground in Fairfield
Another Fairfield City Council project approaching completion is the all-abilities playground at Deerbush Park.

When finished in mid-autumn, the playground will feature a Liberty Swing, wheelchair accessible carousel, ground-level trampoline, sensory activities and an accessible public toilet.

The playground will also feature the Council's first water play area in a public playground along with a ground-level ropes course, flying fox, riding track, climbing net fort with slide, outdoor gym equipment, tables and seating, trees and landscaping.

The new playground is also being funded under the City Deal Liveability program.

Images: The concept for Aquatopia's new outdoor wave pool (top), Aquatopia's opening in 2016 (middle) and Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone at the opening (below).

5th December 2020 - Work underway on new wave pool at Fairfield City Council’s Aquatopia waterpark

29th November 2020 - Penrith Council delivers more contemporary and inclusive playspace at The Carriageway

27th November 2020 - Ongoing improvements to facilities at Sydney’s Fairfield Showground

1st April 2020 - Swimplex Aquatics highlight current shutdown period an ideal time for slide and pool maintenance

2nd December 2019 - Warragamba All Abilities Playground opens

20th April 2019 - Aquatopia has most successful year yet

27th March 2019 - Inclusive playground and splash pad opened at Ollie Webb Reserve in Parramatta

28th February 2019 - NSW Government releases inclusive play guidelines and announces grant recipients

7th February 2019 - Inclusive Play Working Group to design guidelines for inclusive play spaces

29th January 2019 - Swimplex and Polin equip Fairfield City Council’s expanded Aquatopia

31st August 2018 - Fairfield City Council announces addition of new rides at Aquatopia

31st July 2018 - Fairfield City Council provides drinking water refill stations in selected parks

17th May 2018 - Fairfield City Council reveals plans for Showgrounds transformation

14th November 2017 - Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope marks 10 years of Poseidon Drowning Detection System

5th September 2017 - New attractions flagged for Fairfield City Council’s Aquatopia

15th May 2017 - Swimplex Aquatics flags portfolio of recent project successes

10th December 2016 - Aquatopia waterpark opens in Western Sydney

7th September 2016 - Channel 9 Brisbane news reports on benefits of the Poseidon anti-drowning detection system

1st August 2016 - Fairfield City Council announces Aquatopia brand for new aquatic playground

9th February 2016 - Fairfield Leisure Centre gym introduces 24/7 opening

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