Stage two of aquatic centre fully funded

THE Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre has been upgraded from the just-awarded tender to build it, with stage two of the project now fully funded.

The centre, to be built in Torquay North next to Wurdi Baierr Stadium, will now include a dedicated learn to swim pool, an indoor splash park, a spa, sauna and steam room, plus more change rooms.

This will be added to the facilities being delivered in stage one, which comprise an indoor 25-metre pool for lap and squad swimming, a warm water indoor pool, aqua aerobics, hydrotherapy and general water play, a gym, spaces for exercise classes, allied health suites and cafe.

Kane Constructions will start works as part of its $46.3 million tender for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre later this year, with stage one to be completed by mid-2026.

The Victorian government is fully funding stage two through its Regional Sports Infrastructure Program but an exact dollar figure for these works is not known, nor whether stage two will be built at the same time as stage one or a later date.

Surf Coast Shire mayor Liz Pattison welcomed today’s (Thursday, September 5) announcement that funding for stage two had been locked in.

“It’s amazing, it’s going to be spectacular,” she said.

“These exciting stage two additions will significantly increase the year-round appeal of our centre, and we particularly look forward to having dedicated learn to swim facilities improving water safety for generations to come.”

She said the extra facilities would be particularly attractive to the shire’s older residents and for rehabilitation.

Stage one of the centre is unaffected by today’s announcement, and stage two will go through a separate tender process.

Cr Pattison said the shire already had preliminary designs for stage two, but the timing of stage two’s construction relative to stage one was unknown at this point.

“It really depends on what happens with the tender process, whether there’s an ability to integrate the two of them or whether they have to be staged; we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Funding from the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program is also supporting the new hockey facility at Banyul-Warri Fields in Torquay North.

“The new aquatic centre will add a whole new dimension to this popular surfing destination, giving locals and tourists the chance to get active in the heart of the Surf Coast,” Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said today.