Community swim in for the future of the Kardinia Pool

AQUATIC users turned out en masse at Kardinia Aquatic Centre (KAC) at the weekend for a “Community Swim In” to fight to keep the local facility.

The event was organised in response to the City of Greater Geelong’s draft 2023/24 draft budget, which would close the centre during winter months.

Local clubs and community members rallied against the proposed closures, saying they would be detrimental to regular aquatic users and aspiring professional athletes.

Geelong Swimming Club vice president Tim Woods hosted the event, and urged the city to see the ongoing potential that the facility may produce “a home grown hero” when Geelong hosts aquatics during the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“Whether it’s for athletes currently preparing for next month’s World Championship trials or our multiclass athletes departing for Europe as they represent Australian on the international stage this year, triathletes or iron men and women training for their goals, we need Kardinia pool to stay open,” Mr Woods said.

Mr Woods also mentioned his club had a strong history of producing champions including freestyle relay world record holder Tony Strahan and Olympian and former captain of the Commonwealth Games swim team Peter Doak, who both attended the rally.

Both are life members of the Geelong Swimming Club and spoke from the heart about the detriment to not only athletes but also the wider community if it were to close.

“The opening of Kardinia pool during winter post-covid demonstrated great interest in swimming in the Geelong area… you had to book well ahead to secure a spot,” Doak said.

“Kardinia Pool needs to stay open all year to not only support our local athletes, but for the physical and mental health of the Geelong community.

“Keeping the pool open also supports the city’s claim to build a healthy, caring and inclusive community.”

Others to speak at the event included ‘Save Kardinia Park Pool’ petition starter Lucy Fahey as well as Geelong MP Christine Couzens and South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman who also urged the community to continue to raise their voice to keep the facility open.

As of earlier this week, the petition had more than 2,250 signatures.

It can be found at change.org/p/save-kardinia-park-pool