MAKING WAVES

$350m sports training facility including wave pool proposed for Modewarre

A PROPOSED $350 million sports training facility to be built near Modewarre is being touted as the best of its kind anywhere and expected to attract the top professional athletes in the world.

Details about CORA (Cape Otway Road Australia), which will cater to nine of Australia’s 10 most popular sports, were officially revealed yesterday (Wednesday).

CORA will include world-class playing fields for AFL, soccer, rugby, cricket and tennis, as well as a wave pool and facilities for swimming, gymnastics, running and cycling.

The project will also incorporate four- and fivestar accommodation, a retail village with dining, retail and gallery facilities, a farmers’ market and an organic farm to provide produce for five-star restaurants onsite.

The project, to be built on Cape Otway Road, is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs during construction and 500 direct and ongoing roles upon completion, which is expected to take two to three years.

CORA is the vision of local residents, architect Daryl Pelchen and retail entrepreneur Olivia Tipler, who recruited MediaCom, Proleisure, EY and Multiplex as global partners.

Speaking at the launch at the RACV Torquay Resort, Mr Pelchen said CORA would showcase the Geelong region on the global stage, and was intended for not only global superstars but also everyday athletes and the whole community.

“We have all the ingredients the rest of the world wants.

“There is nothing like this anywhere in the world.”

He said the proposal’s 600-acre size meant “you could not make this work” in Melbourne.

“Success for me would be Real Madrid turning up at the Inverleigh pub, mixing with the locals.”

A business case for CORA is being finalised and is expected to go to the Victorian government in the next few weeks.

CORA project manager Nick Garcia said the $350 million needed would mostly come from private investors.

“We’re very confident we’re going to find the money, and we would like it to be Australian money.”

The Surf Coast Shire has not yet received a request for a planning permit, and CORA launched stakeholder and community engagement sessions this week.

Community forums to discuss the project will be held at Modewarre Memorial Hall on Cape Otway Road on December 4 (6pm-8pm) and December 9 (10am-noon).