Commonwealth Games: Swimming club warns against Liberal pledge to move Games pool location

A Liberal plan to redevelop the Kardinia pool could kill off the highly successful Geelong Swimming Club and bring an end to the budding careers of young swim stars.

Geelong Swimming Club warns it faces closure if a Liberal pledge to move Commonwealth Games pool locations goes ahead. Picture: Alison Wynd

The Geelong Swimming Club has warned a Liberal Party pledge to move the Commonwealth Games pool events to the Kardinia Aquatic Centre could kill off the highly successful club, and be a “dream killer” for its budding swim stars.

The Kardinia-based swimming club, rated the best regional club in Victoria, would be left without an affordable option for training sessions if the Liberals won the election and moved the planned Games Aquatic Centre from Armstrong Creek to Kardinia Park - due to the venue closure during redevelopment works - club president Glenn Benson said.

“For a community club whose home pool is Kardinia Park, it’s a dream killer,” Mr Benson said.

Geelong Swimming Club President Glenn Benson runs one of Victoria’s most successful clubs. Picture: Mike Dugdale

“Our high-performance athletes have the goal of at least attending the Commonwealth Games trials and this goal will be unattainable without training space leading up to the Games.

“Lane space is already at a premium within the region, many clubs train at pools across Geelong and this will affect us all.”

“Essentially this will be the demise of many community clubs including us.”

Mr Benson said he was “astounded” the Liberal Party hadn’t first consulted with the club before making’ its announcement on Thursday.

“Pools have become too political,” he said. “I don’t want to get involved in the politics, I just want to provide the water space for my 200 competitors to keep their dream alive.”

The Liberal Party has been contacted for comment.

The state government also attacked the Liberal pool plan on Friday, claiming a change of announced venues would mean a new Liberal government would need to renegotiate a contract with the Commonwealth Games Federation, and risk being unable to deliver infrastructure in time for the March 2026 Games.

A media statement from the Party on Friday warned the Liberal’s plan would “jeopardise the delivery of the entire Games”.

The Opposition on Thursday announced an overhaul of the Labor Party’s plans to host the opening ceremony in Melbourne and for a new aquatic centre to be built in Armstrong Creek.

Instead, a Liberal government would upgrade the Kardinia Park Aquatic Centre to an international competition standard, would build a multi sports facility would be in Armstrong Creek to host the artistic gymnastics and weightlifting events, and Geelong would be home to both the opening and closing ceremonies.

EARLIER: Libs pledge Opening Ceremony for Geelong, pool switch

Geelong will host both the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and the Games’ aquatic centre would be built at Kardinia Park instead of Armstrong Creek, under an elected state Liberal government.

The Opposition on Thursday announced an overhaul of the Labor Party’s plans to host the opening ceremony in Melbourne and for a new aquatic centre to be built in Armstrong Creek.

Shadow sports Minister Cindy McLeish says, if elected, the Liberals would ensure the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony would be held in Geelong. PICTURE: AAP Image/David Crosling

Instead, a Liberal government would upgrade the Kardinia Park Aquatic Centre to an international competition standard, would build a multi sports facility would be in Armstrong Creek to host the artistic gymnastics and weightlifting events, and Geelong would be home to both the opening and closing ceremonies.

“Instead of launching the regional games in our capital city, let’s take this chance to put Geelong and all it has to offer on the world stage,” shadow sports Minister Cindy McLeish said.

“There is no better choice to kick off regional Victoria’s Commonwealth Games than in largest stadium outside of Melbourne.”

Liberal Bellarine candidate Donnie Grigau said a Liberal government would immediately begin work would to deliver the world class aquatic facilities.

“Our commitment will support many local jobs during and after construction of these facilities and provide real solutions to the lack of options in the area,” Mr Grigau said.

South Barwon candidate Andrew Katos said the Games would place the region on the world stage, “right where it should be”.

The Liberal Party noted funding would be derived from the existing Commonwealth Games budget, while exact costings were yet to be finalised.

Local Labor members responded to the announcement on Thursday, claiming it would throw “Games preparation into chaos”.

“Matthew Guy’s Liberals have ignored the needs of the Armstrong Creek community, preparing to cut much-needed facilities – showing they cannot be trusted to deliver the Commonwealth Games,” South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said.

The Liberals’ announcement came after the Labor Party last week announced a $292m investment to build an aquatics centre in Armstrong Creek, a gymnastics and weightlifting venue in Waurn Ponds and a Games Village next to the Waurn Ponds train station to house about 2500 athletes and officials.

After the Games end the Labor Party said the aquatics centre would become a community pool facility, the gymnastics and weightlifting venue in Waurn Ponds would become seven multi-sport courts, a dance studio, and a regional-level gymnastics centre, and the athletes village would become housing.

Geelong will host nine sports for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, including Aquatics (swimming and diving) and Para Swimming, Triathlon and Para Triathlon, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Beach Volleyball, Coastal Rowing, Cricket T20, Golf, Artistic Gymnastics and Hockey.

The liberal party did not respond to a request for comment.

Originally published as Commonwealth Games: Swimming club warns against Liberal pledge to move Games pool location