Peninsula Leisure and Frankston City Council are celebrating an outstanding result at the 2025 Aquatics & Recreation Victoria (ARV) Awards, with local facilities Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) and Pines Forest Aquatic Centre (PINES) taking out three major awards.
PINES outdoor pool was awarded Facility of the Year (Seasonal), while PARC claimed Facility of the Year (Large) and the prestigious Sustainability Award.
These awards are the highest honours in Victoria’s aquatics and recreation sector, recognising excellence in community facility management, customer experience, safety and aquatic operations. This year’s program saw 237 nominations across 21 categories, judged by 74 industry leaders across the State.
Frankston City Council CEO Phil Cantillon said the wins reflect the strong partnership between Council and Peninsula Leisure.
“PARC and PINES are more than just pools, they’re welcoming community places for Frankston’s health and wellbeing,” Mr Cantillon said. “To see PARC continue to lead the way by taking out Facility of the Year again is a real testament to the work that goes on behind the scenes to keep these assets at their best.”
Peninsula Leisure CEO Kath Thom said the recognition highlights the team’s commitment to excellence.
“To win Facility of the Year for both centres again is something really special,” Ms Thom said. “And being awarded for sustainability too shows our focus on delivering not just great experiences, but a better future.”
This marks the second time Peninsula Leisure has achieved dual Facility of the Year awards for PARC and PINES in the one year, having previously done so in 2022.
Peninsula Leisure and Frankston City Council would like to acknowledge the many dedicated teams – across Peninsula Leisure and Council – whose passion and expertise ensure these Centres continue to thrive.
Together, we have created more than just leisure facilities – PARC and Pines are trusted, inclusive spaces where people of all ages and abilities can come together, improve their health and wellbeing, and feel a sense of belonging. These awards are a celebration of that shared commitment to making Frankston a healthier, more connected and more active community.
