Tender awarded to build aquatic centre

THE Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre has taken a huge step, with the Surf Coast Shire awarding a tender to construct it and adopting a revised budget that will borrow an extra $6 million to make up a funding shortfall.

At their meeting on Tuesday this week, councillors resolved to award a $46.3 million tender to Kane Constructions to build the centre, which will sit next to Wurdi Baierr Stadium in Torquay North.

Construction is expected to start later this year, with the estimated 472-day build to be complete in late July 2026.

Nearly $47 million had previously been earmarked for the centre: $20 million from the federal government, $16.6 million from the state government, $7.8 million from the shire itself, and $2.2 million in interest earned on the grant funding.

The tender process identified a gap between the market cost of building the centre and the shire’s project budget, and the shire says it recently ran a value management process identifying design changes to help reduce the centre’s market cost “with minimal impact on its program offering, lifecycle costs or sustainable design credentials”.

The centre will still include:

• An indoor 25m pool for lap/squad swimming and learn to swim lessons
• An indoor warm water pool for Learn to Swim, exercise, hydrotherapy and leisure
• Gym and programs spaces
• Allied health suites, and
• Café and supporting amenities.

As well as up to $6 million in new borrowings, the shire will underwrite $3.2 million by “reprogramming other project delivery”, such as deferring up to $1.376 million from the shire’s contributions to its Torquay/Jan Juc Developer Contribution Plan.

The shire says its loans and borrowing ratios will remain within limits set by its borrowings policy and 10-year financial plan.

“This government funding can only be used for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre, so we are seizing what may be our one and only opportunity to deliver a centre for this and future generations,” shire mayor Liz Pattison said.

Cr Paul Barker, who was the only councillor present to vote against the motion, said building the centre was a major financial commitment and would inevitably result in trade-offs not just now but into the future.

“The intent is clear: to provide a public service to promote health and wellbeing. But is it really necessary?

“I know it’s wanted, but are we being swayed by grand ambitions that don’t align with our actual financial reality or capacity?”