Aquarena Outdoor Redevelopment

We're preparing for renewal works to Aquarena's indoor pool hall in 2027 to help ensure the facility continues to serve our community for years to come.

As part of our preparations, ceiling netting will be installed in the indoor pool hall. The netting is a precautionary measure.

Aquarena will continue operating as usual through the netting installation, with minimal impact on customers.

Next year’s indoor pool renewal works will deliver significant improvements to the indoor pool hall, including a new roof and ceiling, new pool concourse tiling and changeroom upgrades.

These works are an important investment in Aquarena's future, ensuring the centre remains a safe, welcoming and high-quality facility for the community.

We'll continue to share updates as planning progresses.

With demolition now complete at Aquarena, we’re beginning the groundwork for the new splash pad and water play zone.

We’re continuing to work on the outdoor recreation space and internal pool hall in the west façade.

Our crews are busy excavating the site to prepare for the next phase of redevelopment.

We’re also installing concrete piles to support the new 50m pool and continuing to work with relevant authorities to deliver clean energy to Aquarena.

Further updates will be shared as works progress.

Aquarena has retained its Platinum Pool status accredited by Life Saving Victoria, recognising outstanding commitment to aquatic safety, supervision and risk management.

Manningham Mayor Cr Jim Grivas said this recognition comes at an exciting time as the Aquarena Outdoor Redevelopment progresses, with facility manager Aligned Leisure implementing extensive operational changes to ensure safety and care during construction.

“As we progress with the redevelopment, this achievement reinforces that safety and excellence will continue to be top priorities in Aquarena’s future,” Cr Grivas said.

Cr Grivas added that the achievement highlights the strength of Council’s partnership with facility manager Aligned Leisure and its focus on best practice.

“The recognition of Platinum Pool status is a testament to the exceptional work of Aligned Leisure and their dedicated team at Aquarena.

“Through our strong partnership, we are delivering not only a high-quality aquatic facility, but one that meets the top industry-leading standards for our community,” he said.

The prestigious accreditation is the highest level awarded under Life Saving Victoria’s Pool Safety Assessment Program, benchmarking public pools against industry-leading standards across areas such as supervision, signage, emergency procedures and staff training.

The Aquarena Outdoor Redevelopment is expected to be completed in early 2028, weather permitting.

Construction is underway on a major upgrade to Aquarena, one of Manningham’s most popular leisure facilities.

We marked the important milestone with a sod‑turning event, officially kicking off the outdoor redevelopment.

The project will deliver an upgraded outdoor pool, new amenities, and improved landscaping designed to better meet current and future demand from schools, clubs and families.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Jim Grivas said the start of construction signalled the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Manningham’s history.

“Aquarena is one of our most important leisure facilities, and this project is a significant investment in community health and wellbeing involving a major redevelopment of indoor and outdoor facilities and amenities.

“These upgrades will deliver modern, accessible and fit-for-purpose facilities that support active lifestyles and provide long‑term benefits for our community.

“The significant investment by Council has been supported through a welcome contribution from our funding partner, the Victorian Government’s Community Support Fund,” Cr Grivas said.

Construction is expected to be completed in early 2028, weather permitting.

During this time, the main indoor centre at Aquarena will remain open for the community and continue to offer a wide range of indoor leisure and fitness activities.

Any temporary changes to access or services will be communicated as works progress.

Artist's impression of new change roomsBuilders are now on site at Aquarena, with early works underway to prepare for the upcoming Outdoor Redevelopment. Over the coming weeks, the site will be readied for major works to begin.

This exciting upgrade will transform Aquarena’s outdoor areas into a more welcoming and accessible space for the community. Once complete, the redevelopment will include a new 50‑metre outdoor pool with ramp access and a moveable swim wall, new change rooms, additional shade and enhanced spaces for families, schools and clubs.

A refreshed café, new water play areas, toddlers pool, BBQs and landscaped surrounds will help create a true “Your Backyard” experience, while sustainable, all electric heating technology will support long term environmental outcomes.

Aquarena has been a much‑loved destination since 1969, and this redevelopment will ensure it continues to support health, wellbeing and social connection for generations to come.

The main centre will remain open while works are underway, with outdoor areas closed during construction.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Jim Grivas, said the redevelopment represents a significant investment in the community’s long-term health and wellbeing.

“We will be delivering enhanced water play area, improved change rooms, more shade, and better spaces for schools, clubs and families – which is what the community told us matters most, as well as an integrated indoor/outdoor café” Cr Grivas said.

“That said, this upgrade is about so much more than new facilities – it’s an investment in a healthier, happier Manningham for years to come.

“Since 1969, Aquarena has been a much-loved destination for our community and visitors.

“This redevelopment will honour that legacy, while ensuring the centre continues to support good health, wellbeing and social connection for future generations,” Cr Grivas said.

At a meeting on Tuesday 24 February, we endorsed the Aquarena Outdoor Redevelopment, including the replacement of the ageing 50 metre outdoor pool, originally built around the time of the Melbourne Olympics and now at the end of its useful life.

In doing so, we balance value for ratepayers with long term health and wellbeing benefits for the community.

The redevelopment will proceed with a new 50 metre outdoor pool design featuring a ramp and moveable swim wall to improve flexibility and accessibility. The project will also deliver new change rooms and tiered spectator seating to better support clubs and schools from across the region.

Additional features include a new café with indoor and outdoor seating and a dedicated family and children’s zone, with toddler pool and water play area. New BBQs and landscape features will also be provided in keeping with the ‘Your Backyard’ theme of the project.

The project also incorporates a range of sustainable features including all electric heat pump technology to reduce environmental impact and ensure long‑term efficiency.

We have appointed McCorkell Constructions as the contractor for the redevelopment following a rigorous selection process.

“McCorkell Constructions was chosen to ensure high-quality outcomes, value for money and alignment with our budget considerations and timelines,” Cr Grivas added.

Construction is expected to start in April 2026.

During the construction period, the main centre at Aquarena will remain open to the public and continue to offer a broad range of indoor aquatic, leisure and fitness activities for the community.

The outdoor facilities will be closed during the construction period, however Council will work with centre operators Aligned Leisure, to minimise disruptions to patrons and our community.

We will continue to keep the community informed throughout the delivery of the project.

At the Council Meeting on 22 July, the final design package for the Aquarena Outdoor Redevelopment was unanimously endorsed by Councillors.

The project will now proceed to the tender stage of the procurement process, with a contractor expected to be appointed in December 2025.

View the final concept images here.

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.