Making a splash: $8M Splash Park and Water Slides for Maribyrnong Aqua

Published on 22 September 2021

Maribyrnong’s much loved Aquatic Centre (MAC) will soon be home to two new water slides and an interactive aquatic leisure area in an $8 million redevelopment, jointly funded by The Victorian Government and Council.

Stage 1 of the MAC redevelopment Masterplan will provide waterslides zoned to cater for different age groups and capabilities, and will feature a 400m² interactive aquatic leisure park. Additional change rooms will also be incorporated in a new change village with wet, dry and accessible change rooms.

Works will commence in February 2022 and are projected to take 12 months to complete.

Access to water slides and interactive leisure water areas at MAC were identified as among the top improvements recommended as a result of community consultation undertaken as part of a feasibility study undertaken in 2019. The study identified the need to upgrade the MAC facility to meet community needs, address market gaps, and accommodate the predicted growth in population of Maribyrnong by 68% by 2041.

Council has also undertaken a significant consultation and community engagement process as part of the planning for the redevelopment, including discussions with Sport and Recreation Victoria, State and Federal members of parliament, local schools, sporting clubs, community groups, associate businesses, facility users, residents and current staff.

In addition to this, the design team have met frequently with representatives of community disability and access groups to consult on the various design features of the aquatic centre and seek feedback to ensure the facility is fully accessible to all patrons.

Other recent works at MAC include a $1.3 million upgrade of the main change rooms and entry foyer.