Official Opening and Community Day - 12 November 2023

It is built and the wait is over! Your breathtaking, state of the art sustainable health and wellness hub, the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre, will be ready for you to experience from 13 November.

Check Darebin News website to find out more and register your interest to attend the Community Open Day on 12 November 23.

Demolition Update - November 2021

It is exciting to see the progress Darebin Council and Kane Constructions have made on the demolition of the old NARC.

Mayor Cr Lina Messina was out on site in November – see the video below:

Once completed, the new NARC will offer indoor and outdoor pools as well as increased opportunities to participate in health and wellbeing activities, through larger and additional programming spaces and an added warm water pool for exercise and rehabilitation.

Together with improved health and wellbeing outcomes for our community, the construction project for NARC will also bring economic benefits. During the construction period, it is expected the project will generate over 230 jobs (construction, manufacturing and professional services), and over 120 jobs once the new facility is operational.

The new facility is expected to be completed mid – late 2023.

NARC Fly Through

Check out an artist's impression of the new facility!

The Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Project is supported by the Victoria Government.

During the redevelopment:

To help NARC members continue their health and wellbeing activities, Council has been working behind the scenes with the current operator, the YMCA, as well as some of our neighbouring Councils, to provide alternative fitness and swimming options for you to consider.

These include options and discounts for health club memberships, swimming lessons and older adult programs at other venues.

View more information on what nearby swimming and gym options are available.

You might also like to read the FAQs relating to the closure and memberships.

Tennis Court Access

To make a casual booking for the tennis courts please head to https://play.tennis.com.au/northcotetennis

You will be sent an email upon confirmation of your booking that will contain gate access information.

Vehicle parking closest to the tennis courts is on Clifton Street.

Project Background

The renewal of the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre (NARC) is part of the Darebin Council Plan 2017–2021, supporting our goal to expand opportunities for participation and social connection through sport, physical activity and other leisure activities.

After community consultation and a feasibility study, the design concept was prepared.

You can still view the concept designs for the proposed renewal of NARC (on the right).

To find out more about the project including the community consultation, you can view the NARC project background document.

At the ordinary Council Meeting on Monday 17 August 2020 Council endorsed the procurement approach for the construction tender, commencing with seeking expressions of interest from suitable contractors.

More details on the procurement process can be found in the Council Report.

If you would like to speak to someone in your preferred language, please contact us or call 8470 8470 to be connected to a Language Aide or an interpreter.

Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre Redevelopment Project feedback form

Consultation has concluded