The design of stage two of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre in Drysdale will begin soon.
In a major milestone for the $40.3 million project, a funding agreement between
the Australian
Government and the City of Greater Geelong has been executed, paving the way
for the start of the design process.
A concept for stage two, an indoor aquatic centre to
be built alongside the 50-metre heated outdoor pool delivered in stage one, was
endorsed by the Council last year.
Created with the help of a 12-member community advisory panel, the concept
design includes:
- Eight-lane
25-metre pool
- Warm
water pool
- Café
and social space
- Gymnasium
and group exercise studio/s
- Changing
places changeroom
- Various
associated facilities
The detailed
design will ready the project for construction, expected to begin late in 2025.
Stage two is supported with $20 million from the Australian Government’s
Priority Community Infrastructure Program.
The Victorian Government has also committed $20 million to the project, with
the Council to contribute the remaining $300,000.
Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker, State Member for Bellarine Alison
Marchant and Mayor Trent Sullivan visited the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre
with members of the community advisory panel to celebrate the stage two
milestone.
It's expected the facility will be ready to open mid to late 2027.
Libby Coker:
I am proud to support our communities on the north Bellarine
who fought hard for an indoor pool and this announcement marks a significant
milestone in fulfilling their vision.
These facilities will provide much-needed services and access for older
people, people with a disability, those with mobility issues and people
undertaking rehabilitation from major injuries.
It will also provide more opportunities for learn-to-swim in facilities that
meet the needs of our communities during the freezing winter months.
The increased accessibility and convenience will encourage a higher number of
local residents to participate in healthy activity, enhancing the health,
wellbeing and social cohesion of the community.
Alison Marchant:
Stage two of this project will create an Aquatic Centre that
our community can be proud of with a range of facilities to fill the gap within
the Bellarine Peninsula.
Mayor Trent Sullivan:
Thank you to the Australian and Victorian Governments for their major
investment in this facility.
The 50-metre
outdoor pool built as stage one has been a stunning success, and the community
is now looking forward with great anticipation to the indoor component being
added.
Stage two will broaden the use of the aquatic centre and ensure community
members on the north Bellarine never have to travel outside their local area to
access aquatic facilities they need.