News & Updates
A special week at the Swim Centre
April 2026
What a privilege it was this week to open the doors of the Southern Beaches Swim Centre and give some of our incredible local community groups — along with a few of our local politicians — an early look at what we’ve been building.
Taking everyone through the pool hall, the café, the change rooms and out to the outdoor area, and then hearing how each group is already thinking about how they’d use the space — that was a really exciting afternoon.
Every conversation was different, and that’s the beauty of what we’re building here. Whether it’s regular lane swimming, learn-to-swim for the kids, aqua aerobics, rehabilitation, or something we haven’t even thought of yet — there’s a real appetite in this community to make the most of having a facility like this on their doorstep.
A huge thank you to everyone who came out on Thursday. Your enthusiasm and engagement means the world to us, and we are so looking forward to bringing this range of services to our community when we open in July.
Stay connected — follow our journey here, we’ll keep you updated as we build something special together!
SBSC Newsletter
Summer 2025/26
The Dream is Finally Becoming Reality!
After eight incredible years of planning and preparation, our pool is officially under construction!
Hi everyone, my name is Luke Doerner, and I’m the person behind the Southern Beaches Swim Centre. This has been a true passion project of mine for over eight years, and it’s incredibly exciting to finally see our dream becoming reality.
My goal is simple: to create a facility that serves our community to its full potential, providing as many services and as much pool time as possible for everyone in the Southern Beaches area.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Meet Our Building Partners – Merlin Construction
www.merlinconstructions.com.au
We’re thrilled to be working with Merlin Construction, led by Adam Direen and David Overeem. They have been absolutely fantastic partners in bringing this project to life.
Key team members Ben Stewart, Nathan Daniels, Leander Bowden and Jeremy Price have worked tirelessly to keep our project on track and within budget. Their dedication shows in how they’ve continually researched and investigated solutions to every challenge we’ve faced, always with the commitment to deliver our community a truly fantastic facility.
EXPERT LEADERSHIP IN AQUATIC EDUCATION
Welcome Penny Elder – Learn to Swim & Squad Training Lead Consultant.
We’re excited to welcome Penny Elder to our team! Penny is a local Dodges Ferry resident who was born and educated in Hobart before spending 35 years working in the aquatic industry on the mainland.
Penny’s Impressive Background:
Over 35 years in the aquatics industry
20+ years of pool ownership experience
Strong expertise in swim education, centre management, and professional development
Has worked alongside some of Australia’s best, including as an assistant to Olympic coach John Carew.
Penny is passionate about ensuring every swimmer—whether taking their first lesson or training for competition—feels safe, supported, and confident in the water.
Penny’s Role at Southern Beaches:
Mentoring instructors and supporting staff training
Auditing programs to ensure highest quality
Providing expert advice on program delivery
Supporting centre development and growth.
GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY POOL
We Want to Hear From You!
We’re in the exciting early stages of developing our pool’s programs and operations, and we’d love your input. Whether you’re interested in using our services or joining our team, we’d be thrilled to hear from you!
MEMBERSHIPS & ENROLMENTS
Secure Your Spot – Registration Now Open!
We’ll be offering a comprehensive range of membership and enrolment options for all our pool services. Here’s what you need to know:
Important: Membership and enrolment options will go live prior to the pool opening
Action Required: Register via the button below to be the first to know when memberships become available
Download the Newsletter Summer 2025/26 brochure PDF here
Construction in Full Swing
June 2025
We’re thrilled to report strong momentum on site at the Southern Beaches Swim Centre. A range of critical structural works have now been completed, including the final footings, basement plumbing and electrical installations, and the pouring of several key concrete slabs. Blockwork is now around 70% complete, and installation of precast wall panels is also almost complete too.
Our team has also begun reinforcing the pool base, forming wet joints, and preparing the site for ramps, seating areas, and structural steel. Car park works are underway too — a big step toward welcoming families, schools and clubs through our doors next year. Over the coming weeks, construction will focus on the pool base slab, suspended slab formwork, swim seat and ramp preparation, and more structural steel installation. It’s an exciting time as the building begins to truly take shape.
We’re creating a space that will bring lasting health, recreation, and social value to our community. Thank you for your continued support.
What are you interested in?
LAP SWIMMING
Stay Fit, Stay Energized
Swim at your own pace in our dedicated lap lanes, perfect for swimmers of all abilities. Whether you’re training for a competition, improving your technique, or just want to get some exercise, our lap swimming sessions provide a great opportunity to stay fit while enjoying the water. Our lanes are available at various times to fit into your busy schedule — come and make a splash! Lane availability and times coming soon!
Water Activity Classes
Join our water activity classes to improve strength, flexibility, and cardio fitness while having a blast! These low-impact classes are suitable for all ages and fitness levels, offering a fun and effective way to get moving in the water. From strengthening your muscles to boosting your stamina, our water activities are the perfect way to exercise with a splash of fun. Please enter your information if you are interested in these types of activities.
Learn to Swim
A Lifelong Skill for Your Child’s Safety and Confidence
Enrol your child in our Learn to Swim program, where they’ll not only develop swimming skills but also learn the essential life skills of water safety. Our experienced instructors create a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for children of all ages, helping them build water confidence while mastering essential swimming techniques. Water safety is integral for every child — giving them the confidence to swim safely and enjoy the water for years to come. Please enter your details below to reserve an enrolment position.
Squad Swimming
Our Squad Swimming program is perfect for swimmers looking to challenge themselves and enhance their skills. Whether you’re training for competitive swimming or simply want to take your swimming to new heights, our squads offer structured sessions that focus on endurance, technique, and race strategies. Join our motivated team and push your limits in a supportive, competitive environment. Please enter your details below to reserve an enrolment position.
Water Introduction Classes
A Playful, Supportive Start to Swimming
Our Water Introduction classes are designed for babies, toddlers, and young children to build their water confidence through fun, gentle activities. These parent-supported exercise classes create a safe and enjoyable environment for your little ones to explore the water. It’s the perfect introduction to the joys of swimming, helping them feel comfortable in the water from an early age. Please enter your details below to reserve an enrolment position