Cockburn Aquatic and Recreation Centre (ARC) has been named the 2026 Leisure Centre of the Year by Australia’s peak body for the exercise and active health sector.
AUSactive bestowed the honour at its 2026 National Awards in Sydney, with Cockburn ARC winning the accolade from a field of 12 finalists from across Australia, including several from Western Australia.
City of Cockburn Council CEO, Daniel Simms said the award was deserved recognition for the entire ARC team which strived daily in its commitment to its inclusive vision of ‘All people, more active, more often’.
“The team’s ‘ARC for life’ approach enables Cockburn’s diverse community to have their healthy activity needs met at all stages of their life, well beyond the expected gym and aquatic offerings,” Mr Simms said.
“By offering unique innovations, ARC hosts more than 1.4m visits annually, balancing financial sustainability while meeting the niche requirements of different groups in our community.
“These groups cover people of all ages and abilities, who tell us every day that the support they receive from the skilled ARC team, coupled with our fantastic facilities, is helping them meet their active goals every day.”
Mayor, Logan Howlett said Cockburn ARC had made it part of its culture to move with the times, since opening nearly a decade ago.
“While this demonstrates the ARC team’s adaptability, it is a result of hearing when our community speaks,” Mayor Howlett said.
“Knowing that we are listening when the community shares what it needs to stay active, demonstrates the importance of removing barriers that can prevent people from taking their own self-determined steps towards living a healthy, happy life in Cockburn.”
