“Full steam ahead” at Kensington Rec Centre redevelopment

The new Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre is edging closer to completion, with tiling of the new 25-metre pool now complete and its beloved four-metre eel sculptures having been reinstated.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece and Cr Davydd Griffiths toured the site on September 9 as crews work towards a 2025 opening of the redeveloped centre, which will feature a new pool, gymnasium, three full-sized, multi-purpose courts, community spaces for classes and events, a café, health and wellness areas and accessible change rooms.

Recently completed works at the stadium include tiling of the swimming pool and change rooms, installation of retractable basketball rings in the stadium and the installation of solar panels on the rooftop. 

And the popular eel sculptures that previously occupied the original centre have also been returned after the community told the council it would like to keep them on display.

Following the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the City of Melbourne was gifted one of the iconic sculptures that floated on the Yarra River – Birrarung – Mother’s Art Production’s Eels. The sculpture is modelled on the Southern Shortfin Eel, a species native to the area and of special relevance to Melbourne.

The Lord Mayor said it was “full steam ahead in Kensington – with significant progress being made in the redevelopment”.

“Tiling has officially finished on the brand new 25-metre pool – but most importantly the beloved Commonwealth Games eels have been returned to their rightful home,” Cr Reece said.

“The four-metre eel sculptures were a prized gift following the 2006 games – and will take pride of place in the massive pool hall.”

“Over the next few months our team will be hard at work making the centre feel like home – installing lights, curtains and signage, completing the installation of the flooring, installing new cabinetry and painting the line markings on the stadium court.”

“We’re incredibly excited at the progress being made in Kensington – with everything on track for completion in 2025.”