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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.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the pool to be economically viable, and not put too great a burden on ratepayers, it needs to include an indoor facility,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCouncil is ignoring the cold hard fact the North Bellarine has an ageing community who need access to hydrotherapy and warm water facilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe current scope for the proposed facility includes a 50-metre pool, multipurpose spaces, change facilities and a pavilion,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs part of our planning for community infrastructure, it is important that we balance investments across the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
In March 2020 a scoping study was presented to council, identifying \u201cthat 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n