Pool supporters hope shire’s study makes a splash

SUPPORTERS of a pool in Torquay have welcomed the findings of a feasibility study into building an aquatic centre in the town, and say the proposal for the $38 million facility is the closest they’ve come to their wishes coming true.
The council commissioned the study – which councillors considered at a special meeting on Tuesday – in response to the $30 million in election commitments ($10 million from state Labor and $20 million from the federal Coalition) for the aquatic centre.
The report to councillors notes the “current funding commitments are significant and present a unique opportunity to resolve this matter at the lowest possible cost to current and future generations of ratepayers”.
The study proposes two possible solutions for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre, to be built on land next to the council chambers in Torquay North:
* Option one is a 50-metre pool with eight lanes, a moveable floor and swim wall, at a cost of $29.98 million and an average operating cost of $806,000 over the first 10 years
* Option two is the same as option one, plus a multi-purpose program/warm water pool, gym and group fitness rooms, at a cost of $38.52 million and an average operating cost of $433,000 over the first 10 years.
The report recommended the council proceed with option two, noting the larger facility needed another $8.5 million “to ensure that essential revenue-raising elements can be included to offset operational costs” but that the council should make “no capital contribution”.
Surf Coast Leisure Centre Action Group has been leading the community campaign for a pool in Torquay. Spokesperson Colin Fowler said on Monday that the estimates in the feasibility study were “very conservative” and the operational costs for the aquatic centre would likely be lower.
“We’ve actually got a design, which needs some tweaking, but it’s pretty much what we asked for.
“This model that’s been presented is one that actually has a very good return, and that’s what we wanted all along.”
Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson – who committed the $20 million while the federal member for Corangamite – said she was “delighted with the progress that had been made” and called on the state Labor Government to provide the missing $9 million.
The incumbent Corangamite MP, Labor’s Libby Coker, said option two was “too good an opportunity to let slip”.
“I acknowledge that Surf Coast Shire has to make the ongoing funding of the operations of an aquatic centre as sustainable as possible.”