COMM GAINS: Pool to remain with sports centre at games’ site

ARMSTRONG Creek’s Commonwealth Games facility will include a community pool and a host of other recreation facilities following the event, the state government has confirmed, as planning continues to deliver the legacy project for the region.

An indoor multi-sports facility and public open space will also be part of lasting community facility under current plans.

But the aquatics centre will have a different look once athletes leave Geelong, with two of three pools for competition, warm-up and diving to be relocated elsewhere.

A plan to shift pools away from the site during 2026 had drawn criticism in recent days due to concern it could hurt the site’s status as a legacy project.

But the government responded this week and said the Barwarre Road site would include a community pool, multi-sport courts and green open space for public use some time after the closing ceremony.

A plan to convert the aquatics centre into multi-sport courts has been part of the state’s plan ever since it announced a $292 million funding commitment for the Armstrong Creek project in October last year.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said this week that discussions were ongoing for the “world-class” venue that will remain after the Games.

“The Andrews Labor Government will continue working with the City of Greater Geelong as plans progress for the Armstrong Creek aquatics centre. As Armstrong Creek, Mount Duneed, and Charlemont continue to expand, a long-lasting and world-class venue will support the growing needs of the community,” he said.

“The pools will be relocatable and can be reused elsewhere after the games, giving Victorians the opportunity to access and utilise world-class sporting infrastructure long after the Commonwealth Games have left town.”

The government also indicated it would draw on the 2014 Armstrong Creek Town Centre Precinct Structure Plan to inform its designs.

The Office of the Commonwealth Games, Development Victoria and Sport and Recreation Victoria have been involved in discussions with the

City of Greater Geelong about the design and legacy of the Commonwealth Games aquatics centre since the government made last year’s funding announcement.

Architecture firm Warren and Mahoney partnered with Geelong company Four18 Architecture as design consultants on the Armstrong Creek aquatics venue earlier this year.

An athlete’s village for about 2,500 people will also be built just south of Waurn Ponds railway station.

A further indoor sports venue to host gymnastics and weightlifting would become another multi-sports facility plus a regional-level gymnastics centre and dance studio.