Get ready to dive into the outdoor pool season

Mark your calendars and get ready for some fun in the sun! Cardinia Shire’s outdoor pools will reopen on Monday, 1 December 2025.

To take advantage of the warmer weather starting later, and extending to March, the outdoor pools at Garfield, Koo Wee Rup, and Pakenham will reopen on Monday, 1 December 2025, and will close on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

The wading pool at the Emerald Lake Park Precinct will also reopen on Monday, 1 December 2025, and will close on Sunday, 15 March 2026.

This season, the pools will open when the temperature reaches 25 degrees, as forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology at 4pm the day prior. 

During pool operating months, residents can check the opening status of their local pool by visiting Cardinia Leisure website or Cardinia Outdoor Pools Facebook page from 4pm thew day before your planned visit.

In response to community feedback, this year the Council is extending weekend hours during school terms. Pools will now be open from 11am to 7pm, instead of the previous 1pm to 7pm. This change will apply to the pools in Garfield, Koo Wee Rup, and Pakenham, offering more opportunities for families and friends to enjoy swimming together. The Emerald Lake Park wading pool will continue to operate from 12pm to 6:30pm.

During the offseason the outdoor pools have been undergoing significant maintenance, cleaning, and upgrade works during the off-season to enhance your swimming experience. In 25/26, Council has budgeted $585,000 to improve the pool facilities in the Shire.

Key maintenance and upgrades include:

• Repairs to the plant room shed at Emerald Lake Park Wading Pool
• New pool covers to help retain heat and reduce evaporation at Koo Wee Rup Outdoor Pool
• New safety signage and new doors on the plantroom at Koo Wee Rup Outdoor Pool
• New signage at Garfield Outdoor Pool.

During the winter months, Council has also undertaken a comprehensive maintenance program at the Pakenham Outdoor Pool to ensure a safer, more enjoyable, and welcoming environment for all swimmers. Upgrades to the Pakenham pool include:

• Crack repairs
• Pool shell repainting
• Expansion joint installation to prevent further cracking
• Central filtered water line and water return tank repairs
• Safety enhancements
• Wet deck and tiling repairs
• Upgrades to the toddler’s pool
• Upgrade to shade sail poles
• Removal of the existing chain-link fence and gates
• Installation of new modern tubular flat fence panels
• Native vegetation planting along the southern fence line
• New picnic area for families to enjoy

Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Jack Kowarzik expressed his excitement about the pool upgrades and encourages the community to make a splash when the pools reopen.

“As we gear up for the outdoor pool season, we invite our community to join us in celebrating the improvements and making the most of the sunny days ahead,” said Mayor Kowarzik. “We look forward to welcoming you back to our revitalised pools this December and can’t wait to see everyone enjoying the wonderful facilities and creating lasting memories together!”

This Summer will see the return of the Summer Calendar of Fun providing affordable and fun activities across the pools, as well as the return of Aquatic and Recreation Victoria’s VicSwim holiday program.

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 25 degrees.