Community update - April 2025

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