Funding agreement struck for NBAC’s second stage

DESIGN work on the second, indoor stage of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre (NBAC) will begin soon, with the federal government and the City of Greater Geelong executing a funding agreement for the project.

Earlier this week, the city announced the funding agreement for the $40.3 million works, which has paved the way for the start of the design process.The city last year endorsed a concept for stage two, an indoor aquatic centre to be built alongside the 50-metre heated outdoor pool delivered in stage one.

Created with the help of a 12-member community advisory panel, the concept design for stage two includes:

Eight-lane 25-metre pool

Warm water pool

Café and social space

Gymnasium and group exercise studios

Changing Places changeroom, and

Associated facilities.

The detailed design will ready the project for construction, which is expected to begin late in 2025 for an opening by late 2027.

Stage two is supported with $20 million from the federal government’s Priority Community Infrastructure Program.

The Victorian government has also committed $20 million to the project, with the city to contribute the remaining $300,000.

Corangamite federal member Libby Coker, Bellarine MP Alison Marchant and Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan visited NBAC with members of the community advisory panel to celebrate the stage two milestone earlier this week.

“I am proud to support our communities on the north Bellarine who fought hard for an indoor pool and this announcement marks a significant milestone in fulfilling their vision,” Ms Coker said.

“These facilities will provide much-needed services and access for older people, people with a disability, those with mobility issues and people undertaking rehabilitation from major injuries.

“It will also provide more opportunities for learn-to-swim in facilities that meet the needs of our communities during the freezing winter months.

“The increased accessibility and convenience will encourage a higher number of local residents to participate in healthy activity, enhancing the health, wellbeing and social cohesion of the community.”

Ms Marchant said stage two of the project would “create an aquatic centre that our community can be proud of with a range of facilities to fill the gap within the Bellarine Peninsula”.

Cr Sullivan thanked the federal and Victorian governments for their investment in the facility.

“The 50-metre outdoor pool built as stage one has been a stunning success, and the community is now looking forward with great anticipation to the indoor component being added,” he said.

“Stage two will broaden the use of the aquatic centre and ensure community members on the north Bellarine never have to travel outside their local area to access aquatic facilities they need.”

For more information on NBAC, head to geelongaustralia.com.au/nbac