With less than two months until Big Splash has to reopen to the public, police and firefighters have attended a "small fire" at the water park in Macquarie.
Police are treating the fire as suspicious.
The site remains on the market, with expressions of interest closing nearly seven weeks ago, on July 22, 2026.
Under the direction of Access Canberra and confirmed by the ACT government, either the current mortgagees or a new owner must open the 50-metre pool and food amenities to the public by November 1, 2026.
The deadline looms as the site still remains derelict, green water is accumulating again in the pools and a new fence has already been broken through.
A spokesperson for ACT Policing said police were called to a small fire in the main building at Big Splash in Catchpole Street in Macquarie about 3.45pm on Saturday, September 5.
"The fire was extinguished very quickly by ACT Fire and Rescue and minimal damage occurred," the spokesperson said.
"The fire is being treated as suspicious."
Anyone who saw people or vehicles near the venue prior to 3.45pm on Saturday is asked to contact Crime Stoppers via crimestoppers.com.au
ACT Fire and Rescue deployed two pumpers, a commander and a breathing apparatus support vehicle.
"The fire was extinguished within a few minutes, and the scene was handed over to ACT Policing for further investigation," a spokesperson said.
Nearby residents said police were at Big Splash again on Sunday night, appearing to gather evidence from the site of the fire.
A new fence erected to secure the site has already been broken through.
Save Big Splash spokesperson Amelia Tattam said the fire was concering.
"Particularly following reports that the recently installed security fence has already been breached," Ms Tattam said.
"We should not speculate while the police investigation is underway. But this incident shows why Big Splash cannot be left vacant and deteriorating while uncertainty about its future continues."
Access Canberra in April 2026 decided not to terminate the Crown lease on the site, given the "substantive actions taken by the owners, including site clean-up and repair of the pool infrastructure to re-open the site as an aquatic facility by 1 November 2026".
"Importantly for the community, the operators have expressed their intention to continue operating the site as an aquatic facility, retaining the existing 50-metre pool and associated food amenities," Access Canberra said in April.
"Inspectors will remain actively engaged over the coming months and intend to conduct regular site visits to ensure this progress continues."
After the Big Splash mortgagees revealed they wanted to sell the site, Planning Minister Chris Steel confirmed whoever bought the site would also have to reopen the 50-metre pool and amenities by November 1.
"We continue to have conversations outside the regulatory process ... with the mortgagees, and between officials, to make sure, that we understand where they're up to in the process and that they are continuing steps towards opening the pool," Mr Steel told the Legislative Assembly in June.
Ginninderra Liberal MLA Peter Cain said he had also sought confirmation of the November 1 deadline from Mr Steel and the minister had reiterated in writing that it was the date for the reopening of Big Splash, sale or no sale.
"What will the minister do if the site is not opened on 1 November?" Mr Cain said.
"They're saying, 'Don't worry about it, we've acted on it, we've issued orders'. They are claiming to undertake action but this has been going on for a long time."
Save Big Splash's Amelia Tattam said the fire added "urgency to questions that already needed answering".
"Who is currently responsible for preparing the site to reopen? What have Access Canberra's inspections found? What happens if the deadline is missed?," she said.
"If reopening remains achievable, we want to see the work progressing.
"If it is no longer realistic, the government needs to be upfront about that and explain how it will protect the site's future as an aquatic facility."
