Torquay’s deep pool history

MORE than $39 million is now earmarked to build an aquatic centre in Torquay, but local efforts to realise such a facility stretch back decades.

Tony Smales, Colin Fowler, Emma Jackman and Peter Currie of the Surf Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre Action Group (SCALCAG) helped compile this timeline, which shows the depth of the community’s interest in a pool being built.

1950s-1960s – Various community groups form to lobby for a swimming pool in the Torquay area. The original proposal was for a sea baths type of pool at the mouth of Spring Creek. Dances were held at local surf clubs to raise funds for a pool. None of this lobbying or fundraising came to fruition.

1971 – Committees form to push for an outdoor pool. The local newspaper even ran a front page headline announcing the impending construction of a local pool. In the end no formal plans were created by the council.

1980 – A committee forms to lobby for an indoor pool in Torquay.

1995 – Consultants Jeavons and Jeavons conduct a feasibility study into an aquatic centre on behalf of the shire. Despite some positive findings, no plans were put in place.

1998 – Michael King and associates conduct another feasibility study for the shire. This study did not result in any formal actions to proceed with planning for a pool.

2006 – SCALCAG is instigated following a community meeting of representatives of more than 20 local clubs and groups. Letters of support from more than 20 local organisations are sent to the council along with a petition of more than 2,000 signatures.

2006-2008 – SCALCAG researches aquatic leisure centres across the state and determines Torquay is one of the top three largest towns in the state without an indoor aquatic leisure centre. SCALCAG has many discussions with the Torquay Primary School to lobby for community use of their proposed, but never built, swimming pool.

Tony Smales and Cr Dean Webster on the front cover of the Surf Coast Times on March 10, 2008.

2006-2009 – SCALCAG lobbies for another feasibility study. The Surf Coast Shire council agrees it is time to do further research. This study, conducted by Sport and Leisure Solutions, receives the most responses by far (more than 300) of any recreational study conducted by the shire. It finds “a new aquatic facility that supports community access can be justified from a social equity, health and community building perspective”. The study also concluded “there will be a substantial subsidy required to cover operating costs of the facility”. No concrete plans are put in place. Resolutions passed by the council at the time include:

Continuing discussion with state and federal governments on the future of an aquatic facility on the Surf Coast
Reserving land in the Surf Coast Highway community precinct for future use for an aquatic facility
Investigating further possibilities of a public/private partnership for an aquatic facility
Continuing discussions with the RACV to enable community access to their currently planned aquatic/leisure facility in Torquay.

2009-2013 – SCALCAG continues discussions with RACV management about public use of the RACV’s leisure facilities. This was eventually agreed to.

The August 21, 2012 edition of the Surf Coast Times featured South Barwon MP Liberal Andrew Katos and then-Corangamite Liberal candidate Sarah Henderson, who both expressed their support for a pool.

2012 – At a community meeting organised by SCALCAG, local, state and federal politicians all pledge their continued support for an aquatic facility.

2013 – The council forms an Aquatic and Leisure Centre Taskforce to develop an action plan to further investigate an aquatic leisure centre.

2014 – A consultant delivers a financial model for an aquatic centre.

2015 – The council conducts the “Testing the Waters” community consultation process. This is the first time that the council has consulted with the entire municipality and directly asked them to accept or reject a proposal. Ratepayers are asked to accept a rate rise and a special charge scheme to fund the construction and operation of the aquatic centre. The proposal proves divisive and plans for the pool are again put on hold.

SCALCAG organised the “Put Your Bathers Out” rally in 2015 for a Torquay aquatic centre – Corangamite Liberal federal member Sarah Henderson is at centre right. Photo: JAMES TAYLOR

2016-2020 – Despite the setback of the “Testing the Waters” process, SCALCAG continues to lobby for a pool. This results in a council resolution to develop yet another feasibility study, further prompted by election commitments of funding by both state ($10 million from Labor’s Darren Cheeseman) and federal ($20 million from the Coalition’s Sarah Henderson) governments.

On the morning of October 30, 2018, South Barwon Liberal MP Andrew Katos (left) and Opposition Leader Matthew Guy (centre) visit Torquay to pledge $10 million for a pool if the Liberals win the coming state election. Labor matches the pledge seven hours later. Photo: JAMES TAYLOR

June 2020 – The council accepts the feasibility study and determines to proceed with Option 2 as the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre project comprising a 50m pool, warm water program pool, gym and group fitness rooms on the basis that no capital contribution is required by the council and the subject land will be made available as an in-kind contribution. These stipulations are due to an expected $8 million shortfall in capital funding.

August 2020 – The council applies for some of the $8 million shortfall in a round of grants from the state government but is unsuccessful.

February 2021 – The council agrees to fund a larger amount of the building costs of the centre. It successfully applies for $3.5 million in state government funding, leaving only a $500,000 shortfall.

April 2021 – The council votes to put in the final $500,000 to ensure the project can move to the design and planning stage.