Aquatic centre design keeps 50m option open

THE Surf Coast Shire is keeping open the possibility of the pool at its Torquay aquatic centre eventually not only being 50 metres long, but also having a roof, according to just-released concept plans.

Drawn up by architectural firm Peddle Thorp, the plans show the two-storey Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre would be aligned east-west and be located next to the Wurdi Baierr Stadium in Torquay North.

The 25-metre outdoor pool also runs east-west, with provision for it to extend to the west and also have a roof enclosure in the future.

Two under-cover warm water learn to swim/hydrotherapy pools, each about 20×10 metres, are to the east of the main pool close to allied health rooms.

Amenities including change rooms are to the south, with a lift to a first-storey gym and multipurpose exercise spaces.

In June, the shire’s assessment of the originally proposed $39.25 million centre with a 50-metre indoor pool found the design was “unfeasible in its current form” given the rapid rise in construction costs, and would now cost more than $50 million.

Councillors then resolved to downsize the centre to instead have a 25-metre outdoor pool and two indoor warm water pools at a cost of nearly $44 million, and to seek $7.55 million in state and/or federal funds to go with the nearly $40 million ($20 million in federal funds, $13.5 million in state funds and $5.75 million plus land costs from the shire) already committed.

“We are doing all we can to deliver an aquatic and health centre because we know it will be critical to meeting community health and wellbeing needs, and it has been a long-held community ambition,” Surf Coast mayor Libby Stapleton said.

“The centre will provide great benefits for our community, importantly catering for users from growing age groups such as young children needing to learn to swim and older adults seeking warm water exercise options and hydrotherapy.

“This project still requires $7.55 million more than our existing funding pledges totalling $39.25 million, but with construction costs increasing by $300,000 a month we cannot afford to pause the design process.

“This model is mindful of the operating costs of the facility, committing to spending that is within our means and not impacting the provision of other valuable services to our ratepayers.”

Aspects of the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre such as windows and aesthetics are yet to be finalised and will be part of the next design stage.

“We will now move ahead with detailed design, and look forward to receiving the support of our Australian and Victorian government funding partners for the revised project scope,” Cr Stapleton said.

“At the same time we continue to advocate for further funding and welcome community support in those efforts.

“This is the most sustainable and financially responsible model for now but if one of our government funding partners was prepared to fund a 50-metre pool, of course that would be welcomed. The concept drawings allow space for a larger pool.”

Cr Stapleton said the shire would be seeking funding commitments during the lead-up to the November state election.

“We are also open to philanthropic and private contributions.

“We know that our community members are passionate about seeing the best facility built while being financially responsible.”

The shire will review the project again no later than February 2023.

For more information, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/pool