On Monday 23 June 2025, Council endorsed a new direction for  Olympic Leisure Centre (OLC), which will see the closure of the
Centre’s ageing aquatic facilities. The swimming pool and spa will close on 31 October 2025, and refurbishment works will start shortly after for completion by March 2026.

Olympic Leisure Centre will be upgraded and expanded to meet the future needs of the community.

Our plans for the Centre include:

• a bigger gym, fitness and indoor recreation space
• a new 30-hour-a-week library service from March 2026, replacing the existing 3-hours-per-week mobile library service
• additional program of health and community activities, in partnership with service providers.
• maintain and uplift existing sauna
  

View the draft plans for OLC.

• Floor plan for the expansion of gym, new program area and modifications to sauna
• Floor plan and layout for the library

We want to hear your ideas about what types of programs and activities you would like to see in the new spaces. Have your say until 18 October 2025. Complete the online survey below or come along to one of our school holiday activity days to talk to us!

The following outcomes and community engagement activities have been undertaken:

Member and Patron Access

• Facility information has been communicated to members and patrons via email, in-person, and on-site signages.
• Members (direct debit and term) received free access to OLC and IAC from 1 July 2025 to 31 October 2026.
• Multi-visit pass holders can use IAC with subsidised fees at OLC rates until 31 October 2026.
• Casual users also receive subsidised access to IAC at OLC prices until 31 October 2026.

Working Group Meetings

• Regular meetings with Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service to identify needs, functional requirements and fit out to deliver service.

Existing User Groups

• Weekly engagement with user groups to explore alternative options when aquatic closes.
• Holstep Hydro sessions will relocate to Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre in Term 4, 2025.
• Discussions with the Women's Only Program are ongoing to identify a suitable new location. Venues under consideration include La Trobe University Sports Centre and Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre, as options located further away have been determined by participants to be impractical due to their distance.
• All You Swim School: exploring possible lane space at IAC and enquiring at other facilities such as La Trobe University.
• Bulleen School: discussing pool space options at IAC.
• Review of current Aqua Class attendance at OLC and IAC is underway. In September, a survey will be administered to assess preferences regarding the potential expansion of class offerings at IAC.

Staffing

• Staff affected by aquatic closure have been consulted and are being offered shifts at IAC and OLC.
• New OLC opening hours and extended rosters are being drafted.

Design and Plans

• Architect appointed and Concept design developed.
• Council and Yarra Plenty Regional Library drafting options for layout of library.
• Construction to commence 31 October

On Monday 23 June 2025, Council endorsed a new direction for Olympic Leisure Centre (OLC) which will see the closure of the Centre’s ageing aquatic facilities at the end of October this year.

Council resolved to:

• Retain the existing Olympic Leisure Centre (OLC) building and allocate $1.8 million to expand the gym and program areas and introduce a 30 hour a week library service.

• Provide free access for 12 months to Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre for current aquatic users of Olympic Leisure Centre

• Explore alternative options for the existing women’s-only programming

• Commission a feasibility study for a new zero-depth water play park in Heidelberg West

Further Information / Background to Decision:

• Read the recent service review into the operations of OLC.

• Read the OLC future service model report from the 23 June Council meeting for the background to Council's decision.

View the Council documents from the 23 June Council Meeting.