Surf Coast council to forge ahead with aquatic centre plans

Surf Coast Shire council is forging ahead with its planned Torquay pool project, despite a massive funding shortfall.

Ashton Schram, Noah Clifford, Quinn Currie, Zarli Schram, Scarlett Currie and Donovan Currie were excited at the prospect of a new swimming pool in Torquay. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Plans for a new aquatic centre in Torquay are continuing despite concerns over a $4.5m funding shortfall.

The Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre was controversially downsized from a 50m indoor pool to a 25m outdoor pool due to “extraordinary cost increases in the construction market”.

The updated plans also include two indoor warm pools, health suites and a gym.

In September, the Geelong Advertiser reported the project faced an uncertain future with state and federal partners “yet to provide support for the revised design”.

Council says construction costs are increasing by $300,000 a month as it explores ways to raise the addition $4.5m funding needed to for the project.

Concept designs for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre.

Councillor Heather Wellington said she believed Torquay needed an aquatic centre but said the project should not proceed under the current funding model.

She said council should instead be investing in affordable projects, like basic infrastructure and maintenance.

“I’ve never supported the pool project under the funding model because it’s going to leave a burden on rate payers,” Cr Wellington said.

“If we can’t keep up with basic road maintenance, how are we going to get money to operate a new pool in Torquay?”

Cr Wellington said the running costs of the facility would not be able to be covered by its income, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in losses.

“The major issue is the overall deficit that the project will create,” she said.

It comes as Armstrong Creek was announced as the site for a new competition pool for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Mayor Libby Stapleton said council was seeking more information about the scope of the Armstrong Creek project, which is set to be used for swimming and diving, and how both centres can compliment each other.

“We have already started some work modelling impacts on patronage and revenue and once we learn more we can consider how the two centres in close proximity can best serve the community,” she said.

Construction of an outdoor pool in Drysdale is already under way and the Coalition in July pledged a further $20m for the project if they win the state election in November.

It is funded by $10m from the former commonwealth government and $5.5m from Geelong’s council.

Construction is also underway on a $61.6m Nothern Aquatic and Community Hub in Norlane which is funded by federal, state and local government.

Originally published as Surf Coast council to forge ahead with aquatic centre plans