Getting colder

FRUSTRATIONS have been voiced by Drysdale residents who fear the City of Greater Geelong will settle for inadequate facilities under the North Bellarine Pool project.

Rallying behind locals, Corangamite MP Libby Coker said the city has the opportunity in its upcoming budget to plan for an indoor aquatic facility suited to the ageing population.

Despite gaining political attention, residents heard an outdoor pool with limited heating options will be the only plan tabled by council at the end of the month.

Ms Coker said it was time for council to “show leadership” on this vital piece of infrastructure.

“On Saturday, I held a listening post in Drysdale to ask the community of the North Bellarine what type of aquatic facilities they needed and would use,” she said.

“Without fail, people said they wanted a year-round indoor heated facility with an outdoor component.”

President of the Drysdale, Clifton Springs, Curlewis Association, Mercedes Drummond, said the proposal was short sighted and failed to meet the needs of the wider community.

“Most families want an indoor facility that is heated and open all year round,” she said.

“Toddlers and infants need to learn how to swim in a heated pool and our older residents need a heated pool for their rehab and hydrotherapy.”

Fellow resident David Schofield was concerned the project was not being treated as a priority due Drysdale’s proximity to the pool located in Newcomb.

“It was suggested in a previous meeting that we should be happy with the Newcomb pool,” he said.

“We said no because people are not mobile enough, this is an accessibility issue and we desperately need a pool here.”

With outdoor pools being shut across the state for not being viable options all year round, Ms Coker said there would be no point opening a facility that would be closed for large portions of the year.

“For the pool to be economically viable, and not put too great a burden on ratepayers, it needs to include an indoor facility,” she said.

“Council is ignoring the cold hard fact the North Bellarine has an ageing community who need access to hydrotherapy and warm water facilities.

“Young families desperately want their children to learn to swim without having to travel into Geelong or try to access the Ocean Grove pool which is at capacity.”

Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said council would consider the concept design for the proposed 50m outdoor pool at the next council meeting on April 27.

“The current scope for the proposed facility includes a 50-metre pool, multipurpose spaces, change facilities and a pavilion,” he said.

“As part of our planning for community infrastructure, it is important that we balance investments across the region.”

In March 2020 a scoping study was presented to council, identifying “that while investment in a 50m outdoor pool will provide community benefits, the future development of additional aquatic facilities such as warm water pools and water play should also be considered.”

“We are committed to providing access to quality aquatic facilities across the whole municipality, including in the northern suburbs, where we are working hard to secure funding for the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub,” he said.

Ms Coker, in association with the Combined Bellarine Community Associations, will host a forum on the North Bellarine Pool at the Potato Shed on Monday, April 19.

To register visit libbycoker.com.au/poolforum.