Kardinia Aquatic Centre gets green light for winter season

WINTER swimming will remain at Kardinia Aquatic Centre (KAC) after the City of Greater Geelong Council voted to reinstate funding to keep the pool open year-round.

The city had proposed ending the cash stream that kept the pool open for 12 months since COVID-19 in its draft 2023/24 budget and returning it to a seasonal facility, prompting calls to retain the allocation.

COGG’s final budget adopted Tuesday night returned $565,000 for the 50-metre pool to remain open during winter months.

The Geelong Swimming Club led a community campaign that included a community swim-in event at the Kardinia Pool that attracted hundreds of people, while one of their members Lucy Fahey also started a petition which was signed by 3,068 supporters.

The city also received 132 submissions from residents and organisations about its proposed funding cut.

Geelong Swimming Club president Glenn Benson said the support “proved to be a positive community collaboration”.

“Council has considered our collective voice and their additional investment shows they see the value of Kardinia Pool.

“This iconic facility means a lot to many people in Geelong.

“We all must remember that although difficult at times the process council have followed to develop their budget has worked.

“We, the community were able to contribute, the councillors did their job and have delivered appropriate outcomes whilst being fiscally prudent.”

Mental health benefits of swimming as a year-round exercise outlet and improvements in swimming skills to help prevent drownings were highlighted as vital reasons to keep the pool open during budget consultation in recent weeks.

Mr Benson said the city’s reinvestment in the Kardinia Pool will also assist aspiring athletes and coaches to reach elite level competitions ahead of Geelong hosting aquatic events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“This week Swimming Victoria announced that Geelong Swimming Club (GSC) are ranked second as the best performing swim club in the state.

“Council investment to keep Kardinia Pool open allows the continuity of training for our aspiring Commonwealth Games athletes.

“Geelong is a centre of excellence for swimming.

“A ‘home grown hero’ when Geelong hosts the 2026 aquatics could be a reality.”

Cr Stephanie Asher said the community advocacy had directly impacted the council’s decision.

“The swimmers got together, they rallied, they presented a strong and logical case for consideration and it worked beautifully.

“I’m so excited that it’s now undeniably public knowledge that swimming in an outdoor 50-metre pool all year round is a thing.

“People love it and it’s exactly the kind of activity that our community plan and all our policies support.”