Pines Pool a summer splash hit
Published on 09 February 2022
It’s been the biggest summer on record at the Pines Forest Aquatic Centre (PFAC).
Attendance records were smashed with visitation figures for the much-loved community facility steadily increasing year on year.
10,699 people visited the Pines Forest Aquatic Centre in January 2022, the highest ever January attendance under Peninsula Leisure management.
This figure represents a 57% increase on January 2021 (6,814).
“The Pines Forest Aquatic Centre is an incredibly popular facility and gets an average of about 30,000 visitors a year. This is a particularly impressive figure given it’s an outdoor pool open from November until March,” said Frankston City Mayor, Nathan Conroy.
The Pines Pool opened in the late 1970’s and has operated over the summer months with users from across the city as well as Mornington Peninsula, Casey, Kingston and Greater Dandenong including large school group bookings for district swimming carnivals.
“It’s quite the icon and has serviced the Frankston City and broader regional community well for over 40 years,” said the Mayor.
“Given those impressive attendance figures, Frankston City Council and Peninsula Leisure know there’s significant demand to develop an improved facility with new and improved outdoor swimming, health, fitness and recreation experiences for local families and the broader south east Melbourne region,” explained the Mayor.
“In the lead up to this year’s Federal and State Elections, Council is advocating on behalf of the community for Federal and State government funding to transform the existing Pines Forest Aquatic Centre located at Monterey Reserve in Frankston North through an estimated $31 million redevelopment.
Peninsula Leisure Chair, Julie Busch, said the local community has always loved the facility, but no more so than this summer.
“We consistently receive fantastic feedback from our Pines community, but with families looking for more outdoor fun these school holidays, our January attendances hit a new milestone.”
“For the last two seasons we have opened the facility early, based on strong community feedback. This proposed development will enhance this ever-popular facility, and we are excited for the local Frankston municipality to enjoy this gem of a pool,” Ms Busch said.
Peninsula Leisure Pty Ltd is a subsidiary company wholly owned by Frankston City Council and is charged with the management of Council’s two aquatic facilities, Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre and Pines Forest Aquatic Centre. It is committed to providing quality sports, recreation and leisure products and services with a focus on community engagement and innovation alongside a reputation for delivering exceptional service.
Frankston City Council has committed $10.3 million to deliver the project and is calling on state and federal candidates to match Council’s proposed investment.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, Council consulted the local community on their needs and vision for the facility and subsequently developed Master Plan and preliminary concept designs for the redevelopment of the Pines Forest Aquatic Centre, with potential new features including:
- A new eight lane FINA accredited 50 metre lap pool with dividable pop-up swim wall and access ramp
- New toddler pool, splash pad play area and waterslides
- New learn to swim pool
- New spectator terrace and shade area for school swimming carnivals
- Upgraded playground and BBQ area with shading
- Upgraded amenities for all ages and abilities
- New café/kiosk and reception building, including new kitchen and dry lounge area plus exterior lounge area
- New multi-use community room and storage
- Outdoor exercise equipment
Once required funding is secured from the Victorian and Federal Governments, the redevelopment of Pines Forest Aquatic Centre could commence in approximately 2023/24 with design development followed by construction in 2024/25.
Frankston City Council’s advocacy program is part of our Council Plan and Budget commitment to building Frankston’s future as a well-planned and liveable city with a healthy and connected community
For more information about Frankston City Council’s advocacy efforts, visit www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/Advocacy and join the campaign for the redevelopment of the Pines Forest Aquatic Centre.