On a cold autumn day, when taking a dip was the last thought on anyone's mind, the Canberra community on Saturday turned out to show its love for the Big Splash water park in Macquarie.
It started as a so-called "human circle" but was really a big hug for the water park, which has entertained generations of Canberrans but which looks certain to be on the chopping block.
Up to 300 people assembled on Saturday and then formed a chain around the perimeter of the water park, holding signs saying "Kids Need Water Slides Not Hotels" and "Canberra's Only Water Park".
Save Big Splash founder Amelia Tattam said she was "so incredibly proud of the community for making this event such a success".
"With an estimated crowd of well over 300 people, it is clear that this is something that matters to so many Canberrans. It was so inspiring to see so many people come together to show their support," she said.
"The hug around Big Splash successfully brought the community together to send a clear message: Canberra deserves better, and decisions about our city's future should be made with the community's best interests at heart."
The private owner of the park, which in January went into receivership, has indicated his desire to demolish the slides and only run a 50-metre outdoor pool at the site, but, it's believed, just for a limited time.
Greg Kimball from the Save Big Splash group said it was opposed to any development application for the demolition of the slides or for any redevelopment, such as a hotel, which is allowable under the current zoning.
Mr Kimball said Saturday's protest was to "send a message to the developers and the decision-makers that these kinds of resources are for us, even if they are privately owned, they are part of our community".
Sport Minister Yvette Berry, ACT Greens leader Jo Clay and Liberal MLAs for Ginninderra Chiaka Barry and Peter Cain also attended the gathering on Saturday.
Ms Berry told the crowd she and her fellow MLAs would be meeting this week with the mortgagees of Big Splash.
Ms Tattam said the voice of the community needed to be heard.
"As Canberra continues to grow, it is vital that we protect the recreational spaces and attractions that make our city vibrant and liveable. Big Splash was one of the few truly accessible community spaces for people of all ages. Once places like this are lost, they're gone for good," she said.
Access Canberra said in April that it would not be terminating the lease for Big Splash, despite the owner abandoning the site in December 2024, failing to open it to the public and leaving the park vulnerable to vandals.
The government has directed the owner of the water park to reopen the 50-metre swimming pool to the public by November 1.
The owner of the water park, Translink Management Group, fronted by Songnan "Morris" Huang, has previously indicated it wants to redevelop the site to a hotel and include only a 25-metre indoor pool.
The Save Big Splash group has already collected more than 7500 signatures calling for the Crown lease to be terminated, the facility put in public hands and the site upgraded "with an aquatic facility at its heart", including pools, lawns and waterslides.
Save Big Splash is now calling on the ACT government to oppose any development application to remove or demolish the slides and to not allow Canberra's only water park to be removed, especially before the government's aquatic strategy is finished.
"For me, Big Splash was a huge part of growing up in Canberra. I spent countless summer days there with friends and family," Ms Tattam said.
"I am so proud to have lived in Canberra for my entire life, and I really want to make sure that future generations enjoy growing up here just as much as I did."
