Geelong College opens new sports and wellbeing centre

GEELONG College has officially opened Belerren, the private school’s new sports and wellbeing centre.

The state-of-the-art facility at the college’s senior school campus in Newtown includes a double court gymnasium, an elite training facility, four classrooms and an events space with a view of Mackie Oval.

It also features an underground car park for 40 cars, and houses the maintenance and grounds departments.

Belerren will host sports training, APS and other competitions, school events, and learning activities.

Meaning “to shine” in the Wadawurrung language, Belerren will be a place for the college community to shine, in both sport and in life.

It will be a hub for students and community members to come together and engage in physical activity, enjoying the many benefits of an active lifestyle.

Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardener officially opened Belerren on Friday last week at a ceremony including students and staff from all three college campuses and invited guests.

“Belerren will be an amazing and iconic space for our students and community to gather, and to prioritise fitness and health,” Geelong College principal Dr Peter Miller said.

“It has changed the footprint of the college, revolutionising the western edge of the campus, to create a true home of sport and wellbeing at the college.

“Projects like this just don’t happen without philanthropic support, and we are very grateful to the College community for their generous donations that have made Belerren a reality.”

The college partnered with John Wardle Architects to bring the vision for Belerren to life.

The architectural firm’s founder John Wardle, a graduate of the college in the 1970s, used his understanding of the Senior School campus to ensure that Belerren not only functioned optimally, but also complemented its surroundings.

His design integrates seamlessly with both heritage buildings and modern structures across the campus.

The Geelong Cats AFLW team has already used the facility for training, bringing Cats player and 2023 college co-captain Chantal Mason back to the college grounds.