ArchivesACT has chosen records relating to the proposed Lake Jerrabomberra Aquatic Centre as its August Find of the Month.
By 1981, Canberra’s growing population needed sport and leisure facilities. However, water sports in the Territory were fairly limited.
This resulted in an idea for an aquatic facility that would be the best of its kind in Australia.
While Lake Burley Griffin provided some facilities for rowing, it did not cater well for senior level competition. A preliminary study was undertaken “to determine how an international standard rowing course could be accommodated at a site on Jerrabomberra Creek”.
Early discussions resulted in three suggested options: A basic recreational lake with a two-kilometre rowing course and facilities for water skiing; a developed recreational lake with all of the above plus an enclosed swimming area, 18 hole golf course, rowing and canoeing club.
Finally, a formal recreational lake with the potential for urban development in the Jerrabomberra Valley with the lake as a focal point.
There were some obstacles to overcome as the development site was home to major water supply and sewerage infrastructure and near a Defence facility.
These obstacles were eventually too difficult to surmount at the time and the plans were shelved until 1996 when they were revived in the wake of the announcement that Sydney would host the 2000 Olympic Games.
The reasons why the plan did not go ahead this time are unclear, but correspondence between the consulting engineers and Actew Corporation suggests the locations of water mains supplying Googong, Mugga, Red Hill and Queanbeyan were problematic.
If you are interested in further research on this topic, please contact ArchivesACT through its Request a Record service.
Plan of proposed Jerrabomberra Creek development showing constraints and opportunities – Source: ACT Heritage Library
