‘Better understanding’: Council report potentially puts Torquay indoor pool on the table

A report set to go before council next week may offer new hope for a highly anticipated aquatic centre to get an indoor pool. TAKE OUR POLL

An indoor pool may be back on the cards for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre. Picture: iStock

A highly anticipated aquatic centre in Torquay may receive an indoor pool, with the Commonwealth Games presenting new hope.

The Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre’s pool has been hotly debated in the past few months, with plans controversially downsized from a 50m indoor pool to a 25m outdoor pool.

But now, Surf Coast Shire council will consider changing the scope of the project to include a 25m indoor pool.

The council is continuing to seek funding to bridge a $3.57m funding shortfall for the project.

A report will be considered at the council meeting on Tuesday which outlines a shift in dynamics surrounding the project.

It concerns the creation of a new Commonwealth Games aquatic facility at Armstrong Creek.

Concept plans for the centre were released in October, 2022, giving the community a peek at the proposed warm water pools to be used for learn to swim and hydrotherapy.

The growth areas of Armstrong Creek and Mount Duneed had been anticipated as key catchments for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre.

The Victorian government has announced that a “community pool facility” will remain as a legacy asset from the 2026 Games.

According to the council, expert industry research indicates use of that facility will impact patronage of the Torquay centre.

Mayor Liz Pattison said the Commonwealth Games announcements and the council’s research findings meant the landscape had “changed considerably” since existing plans for the centre were approved in June.

“Early modelling indicates that the Armstrong Creek centre would reduce our catchment and demand, particularly for activities like Learn to Swim, warm water exercise and hydrotherapy, impacting our visitation and revenue,” she said.

“We said late last year that we would need to seek better understanding of how the two centres might be able to complement each other, and how the Armstrong Creek centre might influence our project.

“Expert industry research has provided us with better perspective and a report will go to our February 28 council meeting for consideration, putting forward options including changing the scope of our project.”

Existing plans for the centre include two indoor warm water pools for learn to swim, warm water exercise and hydrotherapy, and a 25m outdoor pool intended to be enclosed as soon as feasible.

An alternate scope option being considered includes an indoor 25m lap pool and one 20x10m indoor warm water pool.

This option re-prioritises and alters the sequencing of delivery of amenities to better meet the needs of the community given the impact of an Armstrong Creek community pool facility.

Originally published as ‘Better understanding’: Council report potentially puts Torquay indoor pool on the table