Successfully meeting the current and future needs of residents.
With the centre now experiencing over 800,000 visits per annum, Manningham City Council and the YMCA of Manningham (managers of Aquarena) have recognised the need to review Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre and the surrounding grounds, in terms of its ability to meet the current and future needs of the community.
In accordance with the findings of the Best Value Review, Council engaged StratCorp consulting in November 2005 to develop a 10 year Master Plan for Aquarena, based on current and future community demand, social, community and economic benefits and outcomes.
Following an analysis of possible development options for the centre, a summary of the recommended facility improvements were as follows:
- Provision of a new dry program room particularly for cycling classes.
- Redevelopment of the Water slide.
- Refurbishment of the wet change rooms.
- Development of a new change area for School groups.
- Demolition of the existing outdoor toddler pool and development of a new Water Splash / Play facilities area
- Further extension of the Health Club.
- Development of Swim Club Clubrooms with multiuse meeting room.
- Upgrade of the existing outdoor diving pool.
- Refurbishment and reconfiguration of the entrance, reception and development of a "Change Village" (accessible and family change area).
- Relocation of and greater provision of administrative offices.
- Development of additional indoor program pool which can cater for hydrotherapy.
- Expansion of the crèche.
These capital works have now been approved to go and we look forward to working with residents and current centre users to ensure that disruptions are kept to a minimum whilst the works proceed as quickly as possible so that the exciting new facilities are ready to use as soon as possible.
We appreciate the support and understanding of members during this time while works proceed that the occasional inconvenience may occur, but that the sooner the works are completed the sooner all residents can enjoy the benefits of these wonderful new and larger facilities.
As the redevelopments and upgrades proceed this web page will be the key communication portal to centre users. Please visit this page regularly for information and updates relevant to the capitol works and any possible area or program disruptions. Thank you again for your support during this exciting time.
News and Updates
Update 03/March/09
Works begin on new schools change facilities
Development of new schools change facilities begins as part of the 08-09 Aquarena capital works program.
The new “school” change rooms will provide a safe and secure area for students to change in, after participating in their aquatic education lessons at the centre. These are great new facilities for the centre as schools face increased pressures to provide dedicated changing areas for their students when going off site for activities. The change area will also become the student entry point to Aquarena which will relieve the pressure and congestion at the busy front entrance to the centre as well as relieving congestion for members in the existing wet change room area. The new building also includes a necessary disabled cubicle for students with special needs.
Also included in the design is additional office space for staff including an office with a window that opens out on to pool deck to assist with safety and supervision. This will enhance the current centre operations with easier access to aquatic staff and a greater level of customer service for members involved in the aquatic education program. A first aid room is also included in the new area which will provide us with a safe and secure environment for our staff to treat any injuries that arise with a high level of care and support.
Further to the anticipated enhanced level of service to schools upon completion of the project there are also a number of other positives associated with this particular addition. New water tanks are being included in the project, the water to be used to offset consumption which will be a fantastic opportunity further to enhance our overall centre water management plan and efforts to minimise our impact on the environment. The installation of modern fixtures and fittings will also result in a more efficient use of resources.
Update 07/March/09
$13 Million approved for Aquarena redevelopments and upgrades
Source: Manningham Leader, Wednesday April 1st, 2009
While many councils struggle to keep their outdoor pools open, Manningham council is injecting millions in its aqua sports hub. Doncaster's Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre is to be given a $13 million revamp, starting next year and the project was buoyed by a $2.5 million cash injection announced by the State Government this week. The nearby Greensborough outdoor pool is due to close later this year, the Warburton and Broadmeadows pools are facing closure and passionate community campaigners in recent years are all that have saved councils from shutting the outdoor pools at Oakliegh, Caufield and East Bentleigh.
However, Manningham residents will still be able to swim laps in Doncaster's outdoor pool after Aquarena's redevelopment, scheduled to start next year, is complete. The project will include an expansion of the centre's gym and crèche, refurbishment of change rooms, redevelopment of the waterslide, upgrade of the diving pool, construction of a water splash area, a winter garden enclosure, club rooms for swimming clubs and a major redevelopment of the entrance. Manningham Mayor Charles Pick said the upgrade would provide local residents with a first class facility.
"Aquarena is the beach of Manningham." Cr Pick said. "You only have to look at the parking issues to see the number of people who use the facility." Cr Pick said the upgrade would also address parking congestion problems, which were highlighted when 91 parking fines were issued to drivers breaching parking laws on an extremely hot day in January. Eastern Metropolitan state Labor MP Brain Tee said Aquarena was a
"regional aqua sport hub that attracts around 800,000 visits each year". "We are investing in this upgrade because we are passionate about fostering health and fitness in Manningham," Mr. Tee said.