Northern Bellarine residents will get the sauna and steam room they’ve long pushed for, with the facilities now confirmed as part of the next stage of the region’s new aquatic centre.<\/p>\n
The facilities were originally expected to be delivered in a future stage of the Northern Bellarine Aquatic Centre but have been brought forward after the development came in ahead of budget.<\/p>\n
The addition marks a significant win for community advocates, who successfully campaigned for the facilities throughout the planning and consultation process.<\/p>\n
Community advisory panel representative Gina Bell said the group had agreed during the project’s concept design phase in 2023 to prioritise the centre’s core aquatic infrastructure, with the understanding a sauna and steam room could be added at a later stage.<\/p>\n
“Through community consultation, sauna and steam facilities have consistently been identified as a valued feature and this is great news that they will now be included in the stage two build,” she said.<\/p>\n
City of Greater Geelong councillor Rowan Story said the announcement reflected years of advocacy.<\/p>\n
“The community reference group has advocated for a sauna and steam room for a long time,” he said.<\/p>\n
“This news shows how clever and creative project management, collaboration between all levels of government, and ongoing community consultation can deliver great outcomes like this.<\/p>\n
“This facility will continue to deliver for the Northern Bellarine, whether it’s learning to swim classes, fitness programs, hydrotherapy and now the benefits of a sauna and steam room.”<\/p>\n
Construction of stage two of the Northern Bellarine Aquatic Centre is well underway and will deliver an indoor 25m pool, warm water program pool, gym, group fitness rooms, change facilities and cafe.<\/p>\n
Funding for stage two includes $20 million from the federal government, $20 million from the Victorian government and $3 million from the City of Greater Geelong.<\/p>\n
Federal member for Corangamite Libby Coker said the addition of the sauna and steam room would help ensure the facility met the needs of the growing Northern Bellarine community.<\/p>\n
“The community reference group has worked tirelessly over a long period to advocate for these facilities, from community meetings through to ongoing engagement with project partners,” she said. “They should be incredibly proud of the role they’ve played in helping deliver this result.”<\/p>\n
The stage is on track for completion next year, while the outdoor pool delivered as part of stage one is expected to reopen later this year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Northern Bellarine residents will get the sauna and steam room they’ve long pushed for, with the facilities now confirmed as part of the next stage of the region’s new aquatic centre. The facilities were originally expected to be delivered in a future stage of the Northern Bellarine Aquatic Centre but have been brought forward after […]<\/p>\n