Built in 1994, the SOPAC was a major venue for the 2000 Summer Olympics as it hosted the swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, the medal events for water polo, and the swimming portion of the modern pentathlon competitions.

[1] The SOPAC has since been a host venue for numerous schools and swimming associations around New South Wales.

Currently, it has most notably been the venue for the annual CAS Swimming Championships.

[3][4] The SOPAC also includes a swim shop at the entry of the arena,[5] a play area, a health club and operates swimming classes for all ages.

In October 2013, a large grass fire ripped through the centre's carpark, destroying more than 40 cars, one motorcycle and forcing 1,500 people to evacuate.