A Canberra water park that suffered years of vandalism after closing for repairs has hit the market amid plans to re-open in time for summer.
Big Splash has been listed for sale after the mortgagee took possession of the property and the ACT government threatened to terminate the crown lease unless the property was cleaned up and re-opened.
The treasured waterpark in Canberra’s Belconnen district first opened in 1969, but has been in limbo since shutting in early 2024 for what was expected to be a seasonal closure.
It failed to open later that year and fell into a state of disrepair as the facilities deteriorated amid rampant trespassing and vandalism.
The water park hasn’t been opened since 2024. Picture: realcommercial.com.au/buy
Further plans to re-open the water park by November last year were abandoned, with the operator blaming rising repair costs.
The property listing states that the 13,028sqm site offers a “value add and repositioning opportunity for investors and owner operators seeking to revitalise a well known asset and reintroduce a major recreational offering to the Canberra market.”
In the years since it closed, the shuttered water park has become a target among the ‘urbex’ community, a subculture focused on exploring abandoned and off-limits places.
Social media is awash with videos taken inside the closed complex, depicting graffiti-covered walls, trashed change rooms and algae-filled pools.
There are plans to partially re-open the site by November this year. Picture: realcommercial.com.au/buy
The site was seized by the mortgagee last year, according to selling agent Ollie White of Colliers.
“They are private financiers rather than pool operators so they have decided to put the site up for sale,” he said.
Consultancy firm Purdon provided an update on the site’s condition in December last year, depicting submerged furniture, smashed toilets and fire damage.
The dire state of the aquatic centre had prompted an investigation by Access Canberra, the ACT Government body that regulates compliance and public safety, culminating in a warning in January this year that the lease could be terminated.
The threat was rescinded in April after works began to clean up the site and a commitment was made to re-open the site by November 1 this year.
The water park is located in Macquarie, a suburb in Canberra’s Belconnen district. Picture: realcommercial.com.au/buy
Purdon provided several updates on remediation works at the site earlier this year, which included draining the pools and erecting permanent fencing to prevent trespassing.
Access Canberra said in a statement last month that the lessee had committed to partially re-open the facility, with the 50-metre pool, temporary change rooms and food offerings available to the community. The waterslides are not expected to re-open.
Mr White said the water park would require a major capital outlay to become fully operational again.
“It has been pretty heavily vandalised,” he said. “It would need some significant capex works to get it up and running again.”
The 13,028sqm site has been targeted by trespassers and vandals in recent years. Picture: realcommercial.com.au/buy
Community concerns that the park would be demolished and redeveloped for housing have persisted for decades, however current zoning and lease restrictions only permit an aquatic facility, indoor recreation facility and an unlicensed family restaurant.
Access Canberra confirmed in a statement last month that the ACT Government has no intention to change the zoning.
The property is for sale via expression of interest closing July 22.
English (US) · 