Construction complete on new Belgravia Leisure managed hydrotherapy pool at Lakeside Leisure Centre

The construction of the new hydrotherapy pool at Lakeside Leisure Centre in Tuggeranong is now complete, delivering an important health and wellbeing service for south Canberra.

The new hydrotherapy pool will be managed by Belgravia Leisure as part of the Lakeside Leisure Centre and will open to the public from 25th August 2025 and complements the hydrotherapy pool at the University of Canberra Hospital, ensuring more Canberrans can access hydrotherapy services close to home.

This new pool will support people living with chronic conditions such as arthritis, cancer and migraines, and those recovering from injury or surgery. It’s designed to be inclusive, accessible and welcoming for all Canberrans.

ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry enthused “this new hydrotherapy pool is a fantastic addition to the Lakeside Leisure Centre, and I would like to thank Minister Stephen-Smith for her continuous work on this project from inception right through to completion.

“There are flexible booking options through the Active World app or in person at reception, so the community can access the benefits of hydrotherapy. This will be available to the public from early next week.”

ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith added “Hydrotherapy is a powerful tool for recovery, rehabilitation and pain management. Integrating a Changing Places facility into our new hydrotherapy pool ensures people with disability and high support needs can access therapeutic aquatic services with dignity, safety, and comfort.”

The hydrotherapy pool has been designed in line with the Australasian Health Facilities Guidelines to ensure accessibility, safety and comfort for all users.

Key features include:

• Additional accessible and standard parking spaces

• Ramps to access the centre and the pool

• Underfloor heating and water temperature at 33-34 degrees (about the same as skin temperature – which means the body does not go into any shock when entering the water and enables the muscles and nervous system to relax)

• Accessible bathroom and changeroom

• Safety and accessibility support features like handrails, bariatric rated hydraulic hoist to access the pool & slip resistant flooring

• Storage for mobility aids including wheelchairs and mobility scooters

• Importantly, the facility also includes a Changing Places facility, a specialised accessible public toilet for people with disability who have high physical support needs. The inclusion of a Changing Places facility responds directly to community feedback received during the development of the ACT Disability Strategy in 2022.

Click here for more information on the project.

Image. Render of hydrotherapy pool at Lakeside Leisure Centre.