Hydrostadium’s legacy at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium shone brightly during the 2025 International Canoe Federation Slalom World Championships.
Purpose built for the Olympic Games Sydney 2000, the Penrith Whitewater Stadium is still showcasing Australia to a global audience 25 years later.
It provided the perfect stage for last year’s ICF Slalom World Championships which was contested by more than 200 paddlers from 41 nations.
The venue and surrounding area look set to serve both athletes and the community at large for years to come, a testament to its long-standing sustainability.
Hydrostadium CEO Stanislas Lequiller said the stadium should be the blueprint for future sporting venues.
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“We are really proud, it’s 25 years later from the foundation of Hydrostadium, and we are proud that this stadium is still on top of the world with this big event,” said Lequiller.
“It is really symbolic that we are here, it shows that we can build a stadium with legacy, with sustainability, that is what we want to do all around the world.
“The legacy is the thing we are most proud of. We are thankful that we are part of Australia, 25 years together and hope for many years to come.”
The whitewater course is one of only a few man-made rivers of its kind in the world, and was constructed using a combination of both natural and man-made materials to recreate the characteristics of a wild river.
To look back 25 years, you also want to look forward 25 years.
Richard Fox, Head of the Host Organising Committee for Sydney 2025 and Chair of the ICF Canoe Slalom Committee, said the World Championships highlighted the sustainability and longevity of the venue, and believes the future is even more exciting.
“This has been a really exciting opportunity to showcase the venue 25 years after the Sydney Olympics, and how it fits into sustainability and sporting legacy,” said Fox.
“To look back 25 years, you also want to look forward 25 years.
“We’ve had international athletes here training, we’ve had a great series of events here over the years, we’ve had young athletes develop like Jess and Noemie, we’d like to continue that legacy going forward.”
With broader participation a key focus of the legacy journey, Fox said they would like to see the venue become more focused on community.
“The connection of this precinct where we have whitewater venue and the regatta centre, ultimately in that window of time, we’ll see a seamless transition into a broader recreational precinct with Western Sydney Lakes and that excites me with the new Western Sydney Airport coming on board,” added Fox.
“Here we’ll have a beautiful leisure environment for locals, statewide, nationwide and international visitors.”
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