Aquarena Outdoor Masterplan Redevelopment

Detailed design is nearly complete

While preparing the detailed design, we have continued to engage with schools, families, swim clubs and Life Saving Victoria to ensure the upgraded facilities align with user needs.

The redevelopment will include the following upgrades:

• a new 50-metre outdoor pool featuring an accessible ramp and a flexible swim wall allowing lane lengths to be adjusted between 25 and 50 metres.
• a family water play zone featuring interactive elements, a splash pad, and a toddler pool.
• spectator seating for school carnivals and swim events.
• new outdoor toilets and change rooms.
• sun-smart shading throughout the site.
• a new and improved cafe, including new indoor and outdoor dining areas.
• replacing gas boilers with new energy-efficient electric systems to future-proof the facility and help meet emissions targets.

As this phase comes to an end, we're preparing to begin the procurement process later this year to procure a contractor to complete the construction works.

Updated construction schedule

Construction is now scheduled to begin in March 2026, following the summer season. It will take approximately 15 months to complete, aiming to open for summer 2027-2028.

This timeline is designed to limit the outdoor area’s closure to just one summer.

Advocacy for federal funding

Ahead of this year’s federal election, we’re calling for Federal Government support to help us deliver this project.

We ask the Federal and State Governments to provide $15 million in funding towards the outdoor redevelopment at Aquarena. This investment will help us to upgrade the facility in the face of increasing construction costs.

Aquarena is a key regional facility that serves the entire municipality and surrounding eastern suburbs, welcoming more than 1.14 million visits each year. The upgrades will transform Aquarena into a more modern, inclusive and functional space supporting the health, wellbeing and social connection for visitors of all ages and abilities.

Find out more

• Watch our video to see what the community had to say about this campaign.
• Stay up to date at yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/aquarena-masterplan.
• Find out more about our advocacy priorities.
• If you have any questions about this project, contact us on 9840 9333 or by emailing manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au

Our consultation for the new outdoor water play area has now closed.

We gathered your preferences for various water play elements through interactive pop-up sessions and an online survey.

Here’s a summary of what we found:

• a preference for brightly coloured water play equipment.
• the tipping bucket and slide were the most popular features.
• the spray link tunnel, spray hoop, and cascade features were also highly rated.
• requests for a non-slip pool surface and appropriate shading over the play area.

We’ll incorporate this feedback into the design of the water play area as we continue with the detailed design of the upgrade.

Meet us at Aquarena this month! We’re hosting four pop-up consultations to seek feedback on Aquarena’s new outdoor water play area.

We’ll be in the foyer at Aquarena at the following times:

• Wednesday 28 August 9.30am to10.30am
• Wednesday 28 August 4.00pm to 5.00pm
• Thursday 29 August 10.00am to 11.00am
• Saturday 31 August 11.00am to 12.00pm

We want to know which water play elements and colourings you want to be included.

Not around at these times? Provide your input by completing our survey before Sunday 8 September.

For more information or questions about this project, visit our Your Say Manningham page or contact us on 9840 9333 or manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au.

An exciting new water play area and improved café will be part of Aquarena's outdoor redevelopment.

The project's detailed design is now underway, following Council's endorsement of the Aquarena Outdoor Masterplan last August.

Our Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange, said the community is eagerly awaiting the redevelopment, which will bring Aquarena’s outdoor area up to the centre’s modern, state-of-the-art indoor areas.

“Around 2,500 people visit Aquarena each day, and we love welcoming the regular swimmers, local families, swim clubs, and community and school groups. The centre is highly valued by the Manningham community and visitors alike,” Cr Lange said.

“This redevelopment will ensure the outdoor space continues to meet the diverse and evolving needs of the community for generations to come.”

We've appointed Co.Op Studios as the architect to design the new space and bring the Aquarena Outdoor Masterplan vision to life.

“The design process has been informed by the Aquarena Outdoor Masterplan, which involved extensive consultation with community users and industry experts to guide the redevelopment of the outdoor spaces,” Cr Lange said.

“I want to thank everyone who shared their passion and interest in the future of the outdoor space. More than 800 people provided feedback to inform the development of the Masterplan. We’re excited to be delivering what the community asked for, and more”, she added.

Feedback from the community and stakeholders emphasised the need for more seating, shade, change rooms, a fun water play area, better spaces for schools and clubs, and a sustainable design to reduce environmental impact.

“An enhanced café will now serve both indoor and outdoor areas. The new outdoor change rooms will be only metres from the outdoor pool, and the outdoor pool will now have ramp access and a swim wall to swap between 50 metre and 25 metre lanes,” the Mayor said.

Other enhancements include state-of-the-art landscaping and the electrification of outdoor pool equipment, marking another significant step toward achieving Manningham’s emissions targets.

“Aquarena is currently our largest gas user. Making the switch from gas to energy efficient heat pumps, we can heat the outdoor area in an environmentally sustainable way,” the Mayor added.

The replacement of the centre's 50-metre outdoor pool will take place at the same time as the redevelopment works.

“Aquarena’s outdoor area has a rich history of over 50 years and has been a source of community pride for generations. For many in our community, this is their backyard – we’re embracing the theme of your backyard to create an inviting space where our community can get active, play, socialise, host events and relax,” Cr Lange said.

“We’re excited to start sharing the draft designs and offering on site consultation opportunities in the coming weeks. We’ll also be connecting with various user groups to keep them informed as the project progresses,” she added.

The redevelopment works are planned to begin in late 2025, with project completion expected in late 2027.

Project updates will be available on our Your Say Manningham page. Subscribe to the project to receive updates directly to your inbox.

We're seeking community feedback on a proposed draft masterplan for the outdoor area at Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

The draft masterplan was informed by feedback received during community consultation undertaken between October 2021 and March 2022. It aims to provide clear direction for the future design and development of the outdoor pool area at Aquarena.

The outdoor pool area is a beloved community spot where local families enjoy the water slides, cafe, and water play during the summer months. The outdoor 50-meter pool is also a key sporting and recreational asset is used by swimming clubs, schools, and patrons of Aquarena all year round.

To ensure that the outdoor pool area can be enjoyed for generations to come, the draft masterplan includes several proposed improvements, including:

• A brand-new toddler splash pad and water play elements.
• An upgraded cafe with more seating (including undercover).
• New tiered style seating on the ‘grass hill’ opposite the 50-metre pool, for school carnivals and race day meets.
• Additional change room and toilet facilities.
• More accessible pathways.
• More barbecues and a new amphitheatre-style seating area near the water slide for social gatherings.
• A new ‘quiet pool’ where specialised programs can be held.
• More shade structures and trees planted to provide better sun protection.

The plan also proposes removing the 1969 diving pool due to its deteriorating condition and low usage rates. The 50-metre pool, also constructed in 1969, is scheduled to be replaced in 2024 to 2026 as part of a separate project.

A copy of the draft masterplan can be found online at yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/aquarena-masterplan

Feedback on the masterplan can be provided:

• Online via yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/aquarena-masterplan
• By joining a focus group
• By attending one of Council’s community information sessions.

Expressions of interest to join a community focus group

Council is seeking expressions of interest from members of the community to join a focus group to discuss the proposed changes. The focus groups will be held in early May 2023 with details available upon application.

To apply, visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/aquarena-masterplan

The draft masterplan was endorsed for community consultation at a Council meeting on Tuesday 28 March 2023. Community consultation opens at 10.00am on Monday 3 April and closes at 4.00pm on Monday 15 April 2023.

For more information visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/aquarena-masterplan