Tara Aquatic Centre and Sports Precinct

AQUATIC CENTRE & SPORTS PRECINCT Swimming amongst the trees The project provides a 25m, eight-lane competition pool with associated facilities, a fitness centre and tiered seating.

The Big Idea The main pool will be a 25-metre indoor heated pool, including an eight-lane structure, which has also been designed for our water polo teams.

In addition, there will be a separate learn-toswim pool. It will include change rooms, shower and toilet facilities. A new fitness centre will run along the width of the gymnasium facing the main Oval. Under increased shade structures for spectators, there will be comfortable tiered seating for viewing of students playing netball, basketball and tennis on Tara’s six newly refurbished outdoor courts, completing a total rebuild for a true Sports Precinct at Tara.

“The Aquatic Centre and Sports Precinct is an asset for our community now and into the future.

This wonderful facility will provide a beautiful and quality venue for Tara’s students as part of the curricular and co-curricular offering as well as extended day use. It will be a fantastic new centre for our squad swimmers and swim students to train and learn,” said the Principal, Mrs Susan Middlebrook.

The Location The design and function of the space has been well considered, with a team of architects working with the Tara Executive and School Council ensuring that the overall concept has a strong architectural language and a connection between areas within the School campus.

The vision is for the whole School to use the Aquatic Centre every day. To do so it needs to be positioned in the heart of the School to create a strong connection to students on campus. Using location, space, and architecture there will be ready access to the Junior School, Senior School, Eggleton House, the Gymnasium and Performing Arts Complex as well as the main Oval through this new Sports Precinct.

“The facility will be state-of-the-art and will provide a much improved facility for Tara students. There will be an indoor competition pool that will be open year-round and will create harmony for the School environment.

The deep columns in the design provide a strong architectural statement and link to many of Tara’s existing spaces. The wraparound glazing, which affords direct views from the water into Lake Parramatta Reserve, gives the sense of swimming amongst the trees,” said Mrs Middlebrook.

Next Steps “We are so pleased with the progress made in 2018. The School plans to consolidate the designs and finalise all regulatory approvals in 2019. Our hope is we are able to begin construction soon after this. We have been told to allow 18 months for the project to be completed. We will be presenting the designs in more detail throughout 2019 at various forums and events where comment from members of the School community will be welcome,” said Mrs Middlebrook.

Masons Drive, North Parramatta NSW 2151 P 02 9630 6655 E publications@tara.nsw.edu.au www.tara.nsw.com.au

@Tara_School facebook.com/TaraAnglicanSchoolforGirls Tara Anglican School for Girls November 2018