Norlane aquatic centre finally gets a permanent name

NORLANE’s recently opened aquatic centre, formerly known as the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub, finally has an official name.

The $65.6 million community facility, which opened in February, will now be called the Norlane ARC (Aquatic Recreation Centre).

A new name for the facility was required as Northern Aquatic and Community Hub did not meet the naming requirements set out in the Geographic Places Names Act.

Following recommendations from the centre’s Community Liaison Reference Group to the City of Greater Geelong, four potential names for the facility were shortlisted before its opening.

The community were then invited to vote for their preferred name, with Norlane ARC emerging as the most popular choice.

The pool hall within the community facility will be named Waterworld, honouring both the local community’s wishes and the former aquatic centre that once stood at the site.

The city will now consult with the Traditional Owners to establish an appropriate First Nations name for the centre’s community performance hall.

The move follows concerns from the Community Liaison Reference Group that Waterworld as a name did not appropriately reflect the Norlane ARC’s diverse range of uses, particularly the arts and cultural elements.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan thanked the Community Liaison Reference Group and the broader community for its input into the naming process.

“We’ve arrived at a good solution with Norlane ARC (Aquatic Recreation Centre) as the overall name of the centre, and the popular Waterworld living on as the name of the pool hall,” he said.

“We also appreciate the suggestion for the community hall within the facility to have a name that reflects First Nations heritage, and we look forward to that process running its course.

Geelong deputy mayor Anthony Aitken celebrated the selection of a permanent name for the aquatic facility.

“The new name has been unanimously supported by the northern suburbs Community Liaison Reference Group, who are extremely proud this major facility is located in the suburb of Norlane,” he said.

“The name also reflects the incredible diversity of usages in this facility from swimming pools to Geelong’s best civic hall.

“This is the largest infrastructure project undertaken by the council outside of central Geelong and I am so glad the wishes of the community have been reflected with this name, retention of Waterworld for the pool hall and a traditional Indigenous name to be developed for the civic hall.”