Pool tour aimed to sway shire’s support

ADVOCATES for a pool in Torquay have taken a Surf Coast Shire delegation on a tour of Melbourne aquatic centres, and hope the experience of the trip will shift the tide of opinion their way.

Shire mayor David Bell, chief executive officer Keith Baillie and general manager of culture and community Chris Pike were shown Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre, St Kevins College Sports and Aquatic Centre in Toorak and the WaterMarc Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Greensborough as examples of financially successful pools.

Swimming pools typically have both high capital costs and running costs, but Colin Fowler (who travelled with the shire delegation along with two others) said the three aquatic centres were examples of council best practice that the Surf Coast Shire could follow.

“They’re all booked out, and each of them said that in hindsight they would have built bigger and better.”

He said the large hydrotherapy pool at WaterMarc was critical to its success – “that’s their bread and butter money” – and made a particular impression on the shire delegation.

“I’ve spoken to most of the doctors and physiotherapists in Torquay, and they’re all screaming out for a hydrotherapy pool.”

Mr Fowler said Torquay growing faster than expected and having three new schools open were factors in favour of a pool in the town.

“You start to realise with population growth, there’s never been a better time to do something about it.”

Last week, Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson said the shire must take the first step towards making a Torquay pool happen, but Mr Fowler said this was not necessarily true.

“If we get a funding commitment from the state or federal government, or preferably both, we (the council) have to act.

“We know it’s not going to be built for at least five years, but let’s start planning the thing.”

The Surf Coast Shire had not responded to questions about Ms Henderson’s comments by deadline.