Aquanation set for 15th August opening

Maroondah City Council has announced that its $52.2 million Aquanation aquatic and recreation centre will open as of 15th August.

The highly anticipated project has seen a major make-over of the former Ringwood Aquatic Centre into a state-of-the-art facility that will serve as Victoria's new State Diving Centre and regional aquatic and recreation centre.

Redevelopment works at the Maroondah City Council facility include a new indoor FINA standard 66.5 metre 10-lane pool and 10 metre diving tower, Victoria's first dedicated dry diving training centre, warm water and learn to swim pools, club rooms, program rooms, gymnasium, wellness centre, kiosk, crèche, spectator seating, reception, offices and car parking.

Aquanation will also be a key training venue for instructors and educators in a range of recreational disciplines, and provide access to education, training, and competition for primary and secondary schools.

With a regional catchment of more than one million people, it is expected that Aquanation will have more than 800,000 visitations per year and will cater for people of all ages – from water play for babies and toddlers to dedicated activities for seniors.

The 66.5 metre pool will offer a unique combination of twin booms will create a variety of different water spaces for lap swimming, swimming carnivals, club training and competition, diving, water polo, synchronised swimming, underwater hockey and other programmed activities.

As the State Diving Centre it will have dry diving facilities that are unique in Australia. The dry diving training room will enable clubs to establish a more effective training routine, and provide divers, from beginner to elite, the ability to perfect their technique in a more controlled environment. Aquanation will also be able to host elite state, national and international diving trials and competitions.

For sporting groups Aquanation will provide numerous training opportunities, such as lap swimming, warm water therapy, and gym training such as weights, cardio and circuit. There will also be multipurpose space for club activities.

For groups and people with disabilities, the facility will be fully accessible with ramp access to all bodies of water. It is intended that specific programs for people with disabilities will be incorporated into the aquatic and dry leisure facilities.

For schools, the main pool and dedicated learn to swim pool will provide room for lessons, training and competitions.

Other key aspects of the new facility will be family and accessible change rooms in close proximity to the main water bodies.

Aquanation’s two large water slides are expected to be a major draw card for families and young people across the region and make Aquanation a ‘destination venue’, with people travelling long distances to enjoy the facility.

The addition of the slides means Aquanation will not only be the State Diving Centre, but it will according to the Council “also be the best aquatic centre in the state for water play activities.”

The slides will be totally enclosed with users accessing the slides via stairs inside the facility and exiting the slide into a splash deck near the water play area.

This means that the slides will be able to be used throughout the year, regardless of the weather conditions outside, which will be great for parents wanting to entertain their children during the colder months.

Another benefit of including slides is that industry feedback shows that water slides also lead to higher learn to swim enrolments and membership enrolments – so the flow on effects will be hugely beneficial for the community and Aquanation.

The facility is being built by Kane Constructions.

Once open, Aquanation will become part of Maroondah City Council’s suite of leisure facilities featuring Aquahub, Croydon Memorial Pool, The Rings, Croydon Golf and Dorset Golf.

For more information on Maroondah City Council’s leisure facilities go to www.maroondahleisure.com.au

Click here to visit the Aquanation Facebook page.

Images show an architect's illustration of Aquanation (top) and newly installed waterslides and waterplay equipment at the facility.

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