Aquatic questions

BELLARINE residents are hoping that a shade sail or some cover can be incorporated into their new aquatic centre design and that there is still time for more community consultation before the project goes ahead.

However, the tender for the project was advertised on the weekend after the City of Greater Geelong endorsed stage one of the Northern Bellarine Aquatic Centre project in April this year.

The city is investing $5.45 million in stage one of the project, while the federal government has committed $10 million.

The council is confident the Bellarine Aquatic Centre will be a valuable community facility, and has committed to seeking funding for stage two which will include a warm water pool for hydrotherapy and an aqua play area.

However Mercedes Drummond, who is president of the Drysdale Clifton Springs Curlewis Community Association and a member of the project’s community advocacy group, is concerned that an outdoor pool without protection from the elements will be under-utilised and not serve the community’s needs.

“A majority didn’t want an outdoor pool, but you can’t always get what you want, and I thought maybe having the dome would make it more usable,” she said.

“I was disappointed that the dome wasn’t included in the brief but at a minimum there needs to be shade cloth for sun protection.

“We were promised an all-year-round pool and we’ve only seen concept plans.

“We believe the final designs should have gone out for consultation before it goes out to tender.

“The Bellarine has an older demographic; an outdoor pool without shade or shelter won’t be used for water aerobics, or for swimming classes.

“It’s going to take three-quarters of a million a year to heat it, and ratepayers are already contributing more than $5 million towards the project; we want a pool that’s going to be financially viable.”

A tender was released last Saturday inviting submissions for the construction of the new $15 million outdoor aquatic facility in Drysdale, which will be jointly funded by the City of Greater Geelong and the Australian Government.

The design allows for delivery of a stage two indoor aquatic facility and the city is progressing the project in stages as it continues to seek investment from all levels of government.

Deputy mayor Trent Sullivan said council had listened to a range of suggestions from the local community and had refined the designs, while working to meet the requirements of the funding agreement with the Australian Government.

Bellarine Ward councillor Jim Mason said that next month the city would seek community feedback on the concept designs for stage two of the project, which would include an indoor warm water pool, aqua play and other facilities.

“We have heard the community feedback about the importance of a complementary indoor facility and will be progressing to community engagement on the proposed designs shortly,” Cr Mason said.

“We encourage everyone to regularly check our ‘Have Your Say’ pages for the opportunity to engage with us and comment.”