Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre to mark 30 years of operations

The Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre (BALC) is looking to celebrates 30 years of service to the community with a free open day on Saturday 14th December between 1pm and 4pm. 

The open day is being staged to give people who might not be familiar with the Centre the opportunity to explore its aquatic and health club facilities free of charge. 

Celebrations will also include free group fitness classes and free gymnastics classes for children aged five and 12 years. 

Advising that the facility has played an important role in the community over the last three decades, City of Ballarat Mayor, Tracey Hargreaves stated “we are incredibly proud of the impact the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre has made to the residents of Ballarat and the wider region each and every day.

“We hope the open day will give people a chance to come and celebrate with their family and friends, or perhaps re-visit the centre if they haven’t been in a while.”

Ballarat Aquatic Centre, as it was then known, was officially opened on 14th December 1994 and managed by the YMCA until 2015. 

With many changes over the years, including the addition of the 50-metre pool in 2015, Aquatic and Leisure Services Manager, Gerald Dixon, said the milestone was also an opportunity to look ahead to the future. 

The current priority is the project to develop two new fully accessible Changing Places facilities, with construction to begin in 2025.

Dixon noted “we’re committed to continuing to provide quality services and programs that offer even more opportunities for the Ballarat community to live happier, healthier lives.”

In 2024 BALC was recognised for its commitment to excellence in safety and compliance with the Gold endorsement award from Life Saving Victoria. Only facilities that meet 100% of performance criteria are awarded Gold.

Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre milestones

• 680,000 visitors in the 2023/24 financial year

• More than 5500 members in total 

• 86 local schools participated in our Learn to Swim or Gymnastics Program in 2023/24

• 86 group fitness classes each week

• More than 350 swim passes given to families under financial stress in the 2023/24 financial year

• AUSTSWIM ‘Victorian Swim Centre of the Year’ in 2023

• Finalist Aquatics Recreation Victoria ‘Facility of the Year’ in 2023 & 2024

Image: City of Ballarat Mayor Tracey Hargreaves and Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre Manager Gerald Dixon.