Decision made on Torquay 50m pool

The decision to turn what was originally a 50m indoor pool into a 25m outdoor pool to has been slammed for a lack of foresight of the long-term benefits for Torquay.

A decision to replace Torquay’s promised 50m indoor pool with a smaller outdoor pool has divided the community, with one person saying the project is now a “waste of taxpayer funds”.

The Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre will now include the 25m outdoor pool and two smaller warm water pools after councillors voted to adopt the scaled down project at Tuesday night’s Surf Coast Shire meeting.

The new project was recommended by council officers after a special report found the “extraordinary cost increases in the construction market” had left the original project “unfeasible”.

Cr Liz Pattison, one of the seven of nine councillors who voted in favour of the new project,

said council would still need to monitor the pool’s ongoing running costs.

Some were unhappy the Surf Coast Shire COuncil made the Torquay pool a 25m one.

“We need to revisit the design of the (centre) to ensure that it meets the needs of the community while being fiscally responsible,” she said.

“It’s a balancing act, but given the budget restrictions, the proposed design allows for this.

“We cannot afford to delay this any further.”

Cr Adrian Schonfelder said it was vital children had access to a pool to learn how to swim and reduce their risk of drowning.

“My cousin actually drowned at Torquay beach,” Cr Schonfelder said.

“His name was Lyle Anderson.

“And I believe that even if one life is saved, it’s well worth building the pool.”

Torquay North resident Shanan Greenhough said he was pleased the project would go ahead but was disappointed by the length of the pool.

“(I’m) happy with a pool going ahead in the form of a 25m option if that’s the only resort,” he said.

“However, with two Life Savings Clubs in the area and a high school, it's a real shame a 50m is no longer on the table for kids to train in and participate in squad training.

“I hope the pool is swiftly built and not further delayed is it’s something that is imperative for a community of this size and the continued growth ahead.”

Mr Greenhough said given the shire’s population growth and inconvenient vicinity to other pools, it was important the community had the best option possible.

Resident Vicki, who did not disclose her last name, said on social media that it was difficult to find nearby swimming lessons in the shire.

“I challenge every one of those councillors to take their children or grandchildren to their swim lessons from April to October!” she said.

“What a waste of taxpayer funds.

“One of the fastest growing communities in Australia and they decide a little 25m outdoor pool is the answer.

“Your rethink needs a rethink.”

Surf Coast opt for 25m pool for Torquay

The fate of Torquay’s aquatic and health centre pool has been decided, with councillors moving the officer’s recommendation on the project.

The Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre will include two indoor warm water pools and an outdoor seasonal 25m pool, in accordance with a council officer recommendation following concerns about the feasibility of a 50m pool amid escalating costs.

Councillors on Tuesday night debated the alteration to the centre’s plans, with pool safety of particular focus.

Councillor Adrian Schonfelder citing how important water safety is for the youth of the shire, citing a family tragedy.

“My cousin actually drowned at Torquay beach,” Cr Schonfelder said.

“His name was Lyle Anderson.

“And I believe that even if one life is saved, it’s well worth building the pool.”

Cr Liz Pattison said while Torquay needs a swimming pool, it will be a balancing act for the shire in terms of ongoing operating costs.

“We need to revisit the design of the (centre) to ensure that it meets the needs of the community whilst being fiscally responsible,” she said.

“It’s a balancing act, but given the budget restrictions, the proposed design allows for this.

“We cannot afford to delay this any further.”

Cr Pattison said inflationary costs will result in the likelihood of project costs increasing by $300,000 a month.

Cr Heather Wellington said it was important for the council to have a careful financial plan given the projected cost increases and reliance on outside funding and borrowing.

“I can’t see why we can’t build (an) … aquatic facility for $30m that we can afford,” she said.

The recommendation for the amended proposal was supported 7-2.

A report will be given to council no later than February 2023 as to the progress of the project.

Construction costs growing at $300k per month blowout to force change in Torquay pool project

Torquay’s long-awaited aquatic centre has been labelled “unfeasible in its current form”, as council officers recommend the proposed indoor 50m pool be replaced by a 25m outdoor pool.

But, the residents could get a 50m outdoor pool if the Surf Coast Shire secures funding to deliver the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre as a training venue for athletes for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Surf Coast Shire officers were this month ordered to complete a report on the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre amid ballooning construction costs.

Surf Coast Shire general manager Chris Pike said, at the time, council was faced with “extraordinary financial challenges” to deliver the facility – which was initially budgeted to cost $40m.

The report, which will be presented to councillors at Tuesday, noted “extraordinary cost increases in the construction market, being felt across the private and public sectors, have increased the cost of the project to more than $50 million”.

“It is unfeasible in its current form,” the report read.

An indoor pool may no longer be feasible for Torquay.

“The community expects Council to be financially responsible. Council is not in a

position to contribute further to the cost of the facility.”

The report said construction costs are “increasing by $300,000 per month”, meaning it was “vital that a decision on the future of the project is made as quickly as possible”.

Council officers have recommended the most “sustainable and financially responsible design option” is to replace the proposed indoor 50m pool with a 25m outdoor seasonal pool.

The centre would also consist of two indoor warm water pools for learn to swim, hydrotherapy and leisure activities.

It is estimated to cost approximately $44 million.

Three other options presented to council were to cancel the project immediately, pause and assess the existing project or proceed with a different another design.

None of these alternatives were recommended by council officers.

The report said the delivery of an aquatic and health centre was a “long-held community ambition” and that it was expected that more than 1000 children will need a local, learn-to-swim option when the privately run Torquay swim school closes at the end of the year.

The report also emphasises the need for council to seek funding for the project from other levels of government, nothing that “a relatively small amount of additional government funding could deliver the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre as a training venue for athletes in time for the (Commonwealth) Games.

“This would allow an outdoor 50m pool to be built rather than the 25m pool.

“Such an investment would leave a vital legacy for generations to come, providing health and safety benefits for the region.”

Council officers recommend councillors endorse the outdoor 25m pool option, engage with the state government on the upgrade of the preferred design and receive a report, no later than February 202, to assess the status of the project, including all financial commitments, prior to deciding on the commencement of a public tender process.

Councillors will vote on the recommendation at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

Originally published as Decision made on Torquay 50m pool