City of Kingston moves forward with plans for Mordialloc Aquatic Centre

The City of Kingston in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs has advised that it has approved the planning permit application for its planned new aquatic centre in Mordialloc.

Moving on to appoint a construction contractor, building of the new facility - expected to be operational in 2026 - will begin.

It will feature a 50-metre lap pool, learn to swim pool, warm water exercise pool, leisure pool, gym, spa, sauna and café and is expected to cost nearly $80 million, with the Federal Government putting in $20 million and the rest covered by Kingston ratepayers. Its first stage, the purchase of the site across from Mordialloc’s Jack Grut Reserve, having cost the council $14.6 million.

Advising that the new Centre is expected to attract around 400,000 visitors annually, Kingston Mayor, Jenna Davey-Burns commented “this is a huge project for our Kingston community and it’s great that we can keep ticking off these key steps. Next is finalising the design and locking in our builder.

“This new centre is another way we are supporting the health and wellbeing of our community and it will be an asset for people of all ages and interests. From learning to swim, building strength in the gym, and elite level swim training, to warm water exercise and rehabilitation – it will have it all. I can’t wait for our concept to soon become a thriving hub of conversation, connection, laughter, fun, learning, and a heap of splashing.”

Kingston Councillor Tim Cochrane added that the pool spending will be “a major investment in the future health and wellbeing of our community”, noting “major projects of this scale and value to our community are really uplifting to be involved in and it’s been great to have so many people providing input and along for the ride.

“The feedback we have received throughout from the community has been instrumental in the informing what will be in this centre and the design.”

In February last year Melbourne-based firm CO.OP Studio was appointed principal consultant architect to the project.

The new facility will replace the Don Tatnell Leisure Centre in Parkdale which permanently closed due to structural issues in 2020.

For more information visit kingston.vic.gov.au/new-centre

Image: Concept design for the new Mordialloc pool. Credit: City of Kingston.