The pool will open to the public from 25 August.
11 August 2025
In brief:
- Construction on the Southside Hydrotherapy Pool is now complete.
- The pool will open on 25 August 2025.
- This will provide a valuable healthcare service for the southside.
Construction on the Southside Hydrotherapy Pool is now complete. It will open to the public on Monday, 25 August 2025.
The new pool is located next to the Lakeside Leisure Centre in Tuggeranong. It will be an important health and wellbeing service for the community.
It complements the hydrotherapy pool at the University of Canberra Hospital in Bruce.
The southside location allows more Canberrans to access hydrotherapy services close to home.
An important healthcare service for the southside
Hydrotherapy is a powerful tool for recovery, rehabilitation and pain management.
The new pool will support Canberrans:
- living with chronic conditions, such as arthritis, cancer and migraines
- recovering from injury or surgery.
An inclusive, accessible and welcoming space
The pool has been designed in line with the Australasian Health Facilities Guidelines.
This ensures accessibility, safety and comfort for all users.
Key features include:
- extra accessible and standard parking spaces
- ramps to access the centre and the pool
- accessible bathroom and changeroom
- underfloor heating and water temperature at 33–34 degrees. This is about the same as skin temperature. It means the body does not go into any shock when entering the water. It also relaxes muscles and the nervous system.
- safety and accessibility support features like handrails, a bariatric-rated hydraulic hoist to access the pool and slip-resistant flooring
- storage for mobility aids like wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
A Changing Places facility
The pool also includes a Changing Places facility. This is a specialised accessible public toilet for people with disability who have high physical support needs.
It was included in the pool’s design following community feedback in 2022, during the development of the ACT Disability Strategy.
The Changing Places facility ensures pool users can access therapeutic aquatic services with dignity, safety and comfort.
Bookings and more
Belgravia will manage the pool as part of the Lakeside Leisure Centre.
Bookings will open in the coming weeks through Lakeside Leisure Centre, with convenient options available both online and in person.
Visit the Built for CBR website for more details.
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