Leisurelink Aquatic & Recreation Centre (Waurn Ponds)
Features of the Aquatic Centre include:
- An 8-lane 50-metre swimming pool with ramp access and boom enabling it to be divided into two 25-metre pools.
- A state-of-the-art gym and aerobics complex with greater floor space and a wider range of equipment.
- Cannon Bowl Waterslide: A 12m to 15m high slide featuring a large bowl (diameter of 12m) which swirls swimmers around before dropping them out of a hole into a pool.
- The Black Hole Waterslide: A 12m to 15m high twisting tube ride in total darkness until swimmers reach the final splashdown.
- Water Adventure Park featuring water cannons, an overhead tipping bucket and a spinning water wheel.
- Kids' splash pad: rubber flooring play space with water shooting from fountains and jets at random.
- A learn to swim pool.
- A hydro pool with ramp access.
- Spa/Sauna.
- State-of-the-art gym and group exercise rooms.
- Multi purpose rooms.
- Separate pool and gym change facilities
Opening Hours:
Opening Hours
Cost:
Entry Prices
Review:
Fantastic Aquatic Centre with an unbelievably low general entry price for families (excluding the slides). All the facilities are indoors. A big open area includes a 50m pool which can be divided into two sections, a nicely shaped area for toddlers with a beach entry and water sprays which is segmented into areas with depths ranging from 0.0 to 0.5m, rectangular pool which is 0.9m deep and a warm water program pool, varying in depth from 0.9m to 1.3m, which is open to the public and meant for gentle exercise and rehabilitation. Provided you don't muck about too much you will be able to use this pool which is the warmest.
A wide door leads from the main pool area to the Water Adventure Park which is fantastic fun for parents and kids. There is a huge colourful structure with three different slides, water sprays, cannons and hoses - basically water mayhem. On top of the structure is a huge bucket which fills up and periodically tips over the people waiting below in a huge cascade. There is a quieter area beside the structure with more sprays and water cannons.
This area has two great water slides which are not included in the general admission price. You can either buy individual tickets or an all-day unlimited pass. Both of the slides, The SpaceBOWL and The Black Hole must be ridden with a tube (either single or double). My preference was for The SpaceBOWL but you don't get a choice as to which water slide you go on. There is a common starting area and in order to maximise the flow of people going down the slide, you are directed to the first available slide. This was an efficient process and the queues were not very long all day.
The family changing rooms were very large and well maintained. The cafe was a bit disorganised and seemed like it would have trouble in busy times. There are sections for Shakes & Sundaes, Hot Food, Salad Bar, Cakes and Coffee. I think having the pay station at the end rather than the middle might make the whole process a bit more efficient. There is a window from the cafe out into the pool area which is handy.
There needs to be more seating provided, especially in the Water Adventure Park area and parking seemed like it could be difficult during peak times. There are three hour parking areas and unlimited time parking areas.
In summary this is the best Aquatic Centre in the Melbourne-Geelong area at a fantastic price and even worth a trip from Melbourne. A huge pat on the back for the Geelong council.
Photos:
Location
Cnr Pioneer Rd and Princes Hwy, Waurn Ponds 3216 Map
✆ (03) 5243 9595
Web Links
→ Leisurelink Aquatic & Recreation Centre, Waurn Ponds
→ Leisurelink on Facebook
