Doncaster Aquarena passes 50 years of operations

Manningham City Council’s Aquarena aquatic and recreation centre has passed 50 years of operations, with a community event to mark the anniversary held last weekend (Saturday 30th November).

Opened on 29th November 1969, Doncaster’s very first municipal swimming pool initially offered a single 50 metre outdoor pool, adding an indoor pool 12 months later.

In 1992, the venue took on its current Aquarena branding, coined by the winner of a naming competition, Mark Leopold. Alongside the new name, the venue opened new community facilities including a dive pool, toddler pool, waterslide, gym, group fitness, café, childcare and two more indoor pools.

Explaining that the facility has a special place in Manningham’s history, Manningham Mayor, Paul McLeish stated “Aquarena is a well-loved icon in the Manningham community. For generations, it has been a place to come together with friends and family and be active.”

Since its inception, the core purpose of Aquarena has been to connect communities through activity, health and recreation.

Manningham Council has continued to invest in Aquarena, including completion of a $21.4 million redevelopment of the centre in 2016.

Aquarena, now managed by Belgravia Leisure,  has not only benefitted the health of those in the region, but its acted as a community hub and meeting place, created athletes, driven business and strengthened the lives of people in Manningham and beyond.