Project background
Inner West Council is undertaking a major upgrade of the Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre (LPAC).
LPAC opened in the 1960s, and this major renovation is essential to bring the outdoor pools up to standard as they have reached the end of their operational lifespan.
The facility is one of the most popular in Sydney, visited by more than 760,000 people each year. Thousands of local families also depend on the Centre for their exercise, rehabilitation and wellbeing. This upgrade will ensure it can be enjoyed by our community for decades to come.
We have already delivered the awesome new Ashfield Aquatic Centre and saved Dawn Fraser Baths, now it’s time to upgrade Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre and secure its future too.
The second stage of renovations will commence from Monday 29 June 2026, delivering a new heated 50 metre Olympic pool and a new multi-use 25m pool with a moveable floor.
This builds on the first stage of works, officially opened in February 2026, which included a new splash pad, upgraded mushroom pool, BBQs and outdoor seating.
Stage 2 artist impressions
Artists impression of the new heated 50m Olympic pool
Artists impression of the new multi-use 25m pool with a moveable floor that can be used for water polo, learn to swim, aqua aerobics and other activities
Project stages and information for customers
Stage 2 of the project is the largest section of the upgrade with works commencing from Monday 29 June 2026.
These works will deliver new facilities including:
- A new heated 50m Olympic pool
- A new multi-use 25m pool with a moveable floor that can be used for water polo, learn to swim, aqua aerobics and other activities
- Storage, lifeguard and first aid rooms
- Spectator seating
- Improved landscaped areas for recreation including BBQ’s and picnic areas
- A new children's play area
- Sun shading around pool perimeters
As with many major aquatic centre upgrades, due to the age and the scale and complexity of this site, construction will be a multi-year project.
The outdoor pools will be closed from 29 June 2026 and will remain closed for all of 2027.
The surrounding gym, excluding outdoor aqua classes, and recreation facilities will remain open to the public at LPAC. The indoor pools, including hydrotherapy and learn-to-swim lessons, will also remain open, with the mushroom pool and splashpad able to operate during summer.
We will continue to keep our community and aquatic centre members informed as the project progresses. In the meantime, check out some of our other fantastic aquatic centres.
Why do the outdoor pools need to be fully replaced? Why not just refurbish them?
The existing concrete shells of the outdoor pools have reached the end of their structural life and must be fully replaced. Refurbishment is not possible, and a full rebuild is the only viable option to ensure the facility is safe, reliable, and fit for a wide range of community use into the future.
When will the outdoor pools close?
The outdoor pools will be closed from 29 June 2026 and will remain closed for all of 2027.
Will the entire centre close?
No. The closure only affects the outdoor 50m and dive pools.
What services will still be available?
The following will remain open:
- Gym and group fitness studios
- Group fitness classes (excluding outdoor aqua)
- Indoor aqua classes
- Learn to Swim programs (indoor pools)
- Indoor lap and recreational swimming
- Splash Pad (open during summer)
- Upgraded Mushroom Pool (open during summer)
What services will be impacted?
As the outdoor pools will be closed, the following services will not be available at LPAC during the construction:
- Squads’ programs
- Outdoor aqua classes
- Outdoor lap and recreation swimming
To reduce impact to customers, Council is:
- Adding seven new aqua classes to the timetable at Ashfield Aquatic Centre
- Adding three additional indoor aqua classes at Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre
- Relocating squad programs to Ashfield and Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centres
Will there be disruptions?
As you can expect with a project of this scale and complexity, there may be some temporary impacts to other services throughout the construction period. We will work closely with construction crews to minimise impacts and keep our community and aquatic centre members informed as the project progresses.
Can I use my membership at other centres?
Yes. Inner West Fitness Pass memberships, swim memberships, and visit passes purchased at LPAC can be used across all Inner West Aquatic Centres. They include:
- Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre, located in Enmore Park, Black Street Marrickville. This indoor centre features a 50m lap pool and warm water program pool, gym facilities and group fitness classes including aqua. This centre is approximately 15 minutes’ drive from LPAC.
- Ashfield Aquatic Centre, 160 Elizabeth Street, Ashfield. This centre features an indoor program pool, outdoor 50m pool, outdoor program pool, gym facilities and group fitness classes including indoor and outdoor aqua. This centre is approximately 10 minutes’ drive from LPAC.
- Dawn Fraser Baths, Elkington Park, Fitzroy Avenue, Balmain. The baths are a harbour pool, featuring a 50m lap pool area. The baths are open seasonally from 1 October to Easter and located approximately 10 minutes’ drive from LPAC.
- Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre, Cnr Station Street and Lotos Street, Petersham. This centre opens seasonally from 1 September to 30 April and features and outdoor 25m pool, and group fitness classes including aqua. This centre is approximately 10 minutes’ drive from LPAC.
How will I be kept up to date about this project?
Council will continue to share construction updates and timelines as works progress. Aquatic Centre members will receive these updates via email and project updates will be published on this page.
If you are a casual customer and want to stay up to date, email lpac.enquiries@innerwest.nsw.gov.au to request to be added to our email subscriber list.
Who can I contact for more information?
For enquiries about program and services impacts, please contact LPAC staff on (02) 9392 5400 or lpac.enquiries@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
For project enquiries please contact the Project Manager Aleksander Spasenovski on (02) 9392 5544 or aleksandar.spasenovski@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
Council completed the community engagement on the final master plan on 31 January 2025.
The community engagement outcome report is available to download here: https://yoursay.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/download_file/8237/3059
To read more about previous community consultation undertaken about the Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre upgrade, visit the Your Say Inner West - Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre stage two upgrades website.
For any further enquiries about this project, please contact Aleksander Spasenovski on 0293925544 or email aleksander.spasenovski@innerwest.nsw.gov.au.
Stage 1 upgrade engagement
Council completed the community engagement for Stage 1 upgrade on 31 January 2024.
The community engagement outcome report is available for download here: LPAC Stage 1 Engagement Outcome Report
Council resolved on 14 June 2022 to update the master plan to resolve the depth of the new 25m pool.
Council resolved to endorse the depth of the proposed 25 metre Outdoor Program Pool at Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre to be 2.1 metres with a movable floor.
The minutes from this meeting can be found on the current Council meeting dates page.
The revised LPAC master plan was endorsed by Council on 11 September 2020 following a community engagement process. This document is available for download below:
View the revised LPAC master plan pdf
Information regarding the community engagement process can be found on the Your Say Inner West - planning for Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre website.
Stage 2 upgrade engagement
Council completed the community engagement on the final master plan on 31 January 2025.
The community engagement outcome report will be provided on the Your Say page soon and all participants will be informed.
To read more about previous community consultation undertaken about the Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre upgrade, visit the Your Say Inner West - Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre stage two upgrades website.
Completed work
Stage one of the Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre is complete.
Stage 1 of the exciting Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre upgrade was completed on Tuesday 23 December 2025.
The completed works involved improving the children's play and indoor pool area and included:
- A new children’s splash play area
- Refurbishment of the children’s play pool
- Improved outdoor BBQ and shaded seating area
- New glass fencing around the children’s pool area
- New heating systems
Please note: the mushroom pool is temporarily closed to fix an issue with the pool linng.
We are working with the contractor who is responsible for the construction works to resolve this issue as quickly as possible and look forward to welcoming the community back soon.
Artist's impressions of the upgrade
Council completed the community engagement for Stage 1 upgrade on 31 January 2024.
The community engagement outcome report is available for download here: LPAC Stage 1 Engagement Outcome Report (PDF 112.7KB)
Council resolved on 14 June 2022 to update the master plan to resolve the depth of the new 25m pool.
Council resolved to endorse the depth of the proposed 25 metre Outdoor Program Pool at Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre to be 2.1 metres with a movable floor.
The minutes from this meeting can be found on the current Council meeting dates page.
The revised LPAC master plan was endorsed by Council on 11 September 2020 following a community engagement process. This document is available for download below:
View the revised LPAC master plan (PDF, 5.97MB)
Information regarding the community engagement process can be found on the Your Say Inner West - planning for Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre website.
Stage 1 completion photos
Splash pad area upgrade
Upgraded mushroom pool
Shade sails over mushroom pool
Upgraded splash and play area
Shade sails
Upgraded BBQ facilities and area
Upgraded pool pump house