Cardinia’s Outdoor Pool Season 2023/24

The countdown is on to the start of Cardinia’s Outdoor Pool season for 2023/24.

The Garfield, Koo Wee Rup and Pakenham Outdoor Pools all open on Saturday 11 November with Emerald Lake Park Wading Pool close behind, opening on Monday 23 November.

This Summer will see the return of the Summer Calendar of Fun providing affordable and fun activities and offers across the pools, as well as the return of Aquatic and Recreation Victoria’s VicSwim holiday program. We will also be trialing some more healthy food options across our pools with kiosks!

This Summer will see a change to January operations with each pool opening only if the temperature in that location is declared by the BOM to be 26 degrees or above at 4pm the day earlier. This change is in line with our other operating months and was made in consultation with Cardinia Shire Council. The decision was based on January attendance data over the past few years, with there often being low or no attendance at the pools on days under 26 degrees.

During pool operating months, residents can check the home page on the Cardinia Leisure website from 4pm to see if their local pool will be open the following day. They can also check by visiting our Cardinia Outdoor Pools Facebook page.

In the off season, in collaboration with Cardinia Shire Council, we have worked extremely hard to ensure Cardinia’s Outdoor Pools are well prepared for our community to enjoy through the warmer months. Maintenance has occurred across the pools, which will enhance patrons’ enjoyment of visiting the pools. One exciting element of this was trialing the installation of bird lasers at both Pakenham and Koo Wee Rup Pools to deter the birds from our pools to keep the pathways cleaner underfoot. Another very exciting upgrade has taken place at Koo Wee Rup to the accessible change room, seeing this become a much more functional and accessible change space. The Emerald and Pakenham pools have also got a fresh coat of paint.

We look forward to having a fun and safe Summer across Cardinia’s Outdoor Pools!

Pools will not open if the forecast temperature at 4pm the day prior is lower than 26 degrees.