Construction of Geelong’s Northern Aquatic and Community Hub reaches halfway

Construction of the $65.6 million Northern Aquatic and Community Hub at Norlane in Geelong’s northern suburbs has now passed 50% complete.

Friday saw City of greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan, Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken and Councillor Kylie Grzybek join Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Corio Richard Marles and State Member for Lara Ella George at the site to help lay the first tile in the hub’s learn-to-swim pool.

Tiling of the 25-metre pool is also about to begin, while the waterplay area is coming together with installation of indoor waterslides and play structures.

Elsewhere, external façades are close to complete and windows will be installed soon, making the building airtight and watertight.

Jointly funded by the City of Greater Geelong ($48.84 million), the Victorian Government ($8.5 million) and the Federal Government ($8.26 million), the much anticipated facility will open early in 2024.

It will replace the ageing Waterworld and Centenary Hall on the corner of Cox Road and the Princes Highway.

Designed by architects dwp (Design Worldwide Partnership), the facility is being built by Kane Constructions.

Once complete, it will feature:

• Lap pool (25m) and waterslides;

• Warm water pool, spa and steam room;

• Learn to Swim pool;

• Mezzanine level gym overlooking the aquatic facilities;

• Multi-purpose community performance hall;

• Childcare facilities; and

• Extensive landscaped outdoor public open space areas.

Commenting on the progress of the development, Mayor Sullivan advised “with tiles being laid in the swimming pools and the main waterslides not too far off being installed, the facility is really starting to take shape now.

“It’s so exciting to see the progress and to start to imagine the community coming through the doors next year.

Deputy Prime Minister Marles added “the Australian Government is a proud funding partner in delivering these world class and modern facilities for Geelong’s northern suburbs.

“The preventive health and wellbeing benefits that this project will bring to the community will be far-reaching, and I’m really looking forward to visiting again upon its completion.

As part of the construction process, Waterworld will be required to close from late June with the City’s Swim, Sport and Leisure team to operate a pop-up gym facility for Waterworld members at the nearby Corio Leisuretime Sports Precinct on Anakie Road.

Waterworld members also have reciprocal access to the City’s other Swim, Sport and Leisure facilities - Splashdown, Kardinia Aquatic Centre, Leisurelink and the Lara Swimming Pool.

Images: Top, from left: Anthony Aitken, Ella George, Kylie Grzybek, Trent Sullivan and Richard Marles lay the first tile at the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub and (below) the concept of how the interior of the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub will look when complete. Credit: City of Greater Geelong.