Phillip Pool reopened on Saturday, 25 October. Photo: Geocon.
Phillip Pool joined Canberra’s seasonal outdoor pools in Manuka and Dickson last weekend in opening for the season, and with a few minor upgrades, even as its expiry date looms.
Since developer giant Geocon bought the site on Irving Street, Phillip, in December 2022, the pool has opened every season since.
While the ACT Government might have delivered million-dollar upgrades to the Dickson and Manuka pools to improve “accessibility, sustainability and visitor comfort” over 2025’s winter months, Woden didn’t entirely miss out on improvements either.
“It was a big lead-up to the reopening,” Geocon development manager Jack Ison told Region this week.
“There was a last-minute issue with a faulty replacement valve, so it was all hands on deck company-wide, but it opened on time on 25 October … There’s been painting, landscaping, and just general tidying.”
Phillip Pool comprises three pools: the main 50-metre lap pool, a 20-metre program pool, and this one, the toddler pool. Photo: Geocon.
Even as it plans to construct two new 13-storey residential towers on the site – comprising a total of 286 units – with a new public aquatic facility underneath, Geocon has confirmed there won’t be a season when Woden is without a pool.
“Throughout that process, once construction is underway, we’d look to maintain the 50-metre pool – and the ice-skating rink – so both would be operational,” Mr Ison said.
“And then once the new facility opens, that’ll be available to the community instead.”
The new aquatic centre will be headlined by a 25-metre, eight-lane lap pool, but will also include a 20-metre program pool, a learn-to-swim pool, a toddlers’ pool, a splash play area which extends outdoors, a sauna, and an outdoor landscaped area with lawn and seating.
And while it’s largely indoor, a large skylight above the facility’s main pool is designed to flood the place with “as much sunlight as possible”.
“There are multiple different pool types to really cater to everyone, from casual lap swimmers and leisure swimmers to young families,” Mr Ison said.
“It’s a much more accessible aquatic facility. But I think the main point of difference is that it will be available 12 months of the year. We won’t be talking about an opening date – it’ll just be business as usual, summer, winter, rain or shine.”
Geocon is working with Royal Life Saving Australia over the finer details of the design, which Mr Ison said will continue throughout construction.
“They’re talking with us about the functionality of the facility, and the safety aspects – some of those safety aspects can be addressed now, and some of them will continue to be addressed throughout construction.”
The new aquatic facility will be located on the ground floor of the two new towers, but will include outdoor spaces and a sprawling skylight overhead. Image: Cox Architecture.
As for when the 50-metre pool will close for the last time, that ball is out of Geocon’s court – the development application is still under review by the ACT Planning Authority.
“It’s all really subject to DA approvals at this point. We’re really eager to get works underway and open the facility as soon as we have the appropriate approvals.”
So far, the DA has been paused twice due to design issues, first in February 2025 and then again in August.
Geocon has since lodged an amended DA that aims to resolve these concerns, including updated building, landscaping, traffic and noise management plans.
The entrance to the Phillip Pool. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Once the DA is approved, Mr Ison said Geocon would also work out how to operate the aquatic facility going forward, whether through a building committee or a contractor.
“We haven’t determined that at that point … It’s all subject to DA approvals, and at that point, we’ll then be able to consider our options.”
Phillip Pool is open 6 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday, and 8 am to 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Entry for children under 3 is free; children under 16 and concession card holders cost $7; adults cost $9; and family packs (two adults, two children, or one adult, three children) are available for $24 or $26.
