A busy season is ahead for aquatic facilities across Moreton Bay's northern suburbs, with the Albany Creek Aquatic Centre set to close for a comprehensive, top-to-bottom renovation beginning 5 May 2026.

The upgrade is no minor patch job. Works will cover the complete resurfacing of both pools, with the indoor program pool expected to be out of action for roughly seven weeks. The outdoor 50-metre pool will see an even longer disruption, with construction work forecast to continue through to mid-August 2026.

The scope of the physical works is extensive. Crews will be stripping back and repainting pool shells, replacing underwater tiles throughout including the specialised finger grip tiles at both ends of the 50-metre pool and installing new depth and warning tiles to bring the facility in line with current compliance standards. Wet-deck grates, backstroke anchors, posts, stair handrails, and the moveable bulkhead are all on the replacement list too, alongside improvements to the poolside concourse and furniture.

This kind of investment signals more than just routine maintenance. It reflects a recognition from City of Moreton Bay that ageing aquatic infrastructure needs proactive care to remain safe, functional, and competitive with newer facilities across the region. For a centre that services thousands of regular users from competitive squads to learn-to-swim families and early morning lap swimmers getting this right matters.

For Members: Alternatives Are in Place

Facility management has put together a solid set of options to minimise disruption for members. Swim-only members and visit pass holders will have complimentary access to both Ferny Hills Pool and Lawnton Aquatic Centre for the duration of the works a practical solution that keeps people in the water without any out-of-pocket costs.

For those who'd rather stay dry during the downtime, there's the option to convert swimming memberships into gym passes temporarily, or simply freeze accounts until the new-look centre reopens. It's a flexible approach that acknowledges different people have different needs and circumstances.

Competitive squads including Junior, Intermediate, State, and National level athletes will be redistributed across the Ferny Hills and Lawnton facilities, with morning and afternoon sessions carefully split to manage the increased load on those venues. Morning SwimFit sessions will continue at Ferny Hills, though evening sessions will be paused in the interim.

For GOswim lesson participants and aqua aerobics regulars, plans are still being finalised, but options under consideration include sessions at partner pools and land-based fitness classes held at the Albany Creek site itself which is a thoughtful way to keep older and less mobile participants connected to their routine.

The Bigger Picture

While a three-month disruption is never ideal, the reality is that well-maintained aquatic infrastructure doesn't happen by accident. This kind of scheduled, thorough refurbishment extends the life of a facility significantly and avoids the far more disruptive emergency closures that come with deferred maintenance. Residents and regular users can expect a noticeably improved facility when the centre reopens later in 2026.