There are fears that Canberra’s growing population may not have enough public pools, as some are replaced with smaller facilities or more commercial outfits.

The city’s underwater rugby team is one of a number of local sporting groups lobbying to keep Civic Pool — which is slated to close — as its training facility.

Public submissions for the new aquatic centre in Commonwealth Park closed last month, and it’s not yet known if the facility will have a deep pool to accommodate diving and water sports like underwater rugby.