Geelong’s Northern Aquatic and Community Hub named Norlane ARC

City of Greater Geelong has advised that the $65.6 million community facility in Norlane which opened to the public in February this year as the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub (NACH), will now be named Norlane ARC (Aquatic Recreation Centre).

A new name for the centre was required because ‘Northern Aquatic and Community Hub’ did not meet the naming rules under the Geographic Place Names Act 1998 (Vic).

Norlane ARC was funded by the Council ($48.84 million), Victorian Government ($8.5 million) and Australian Government ($8.26 million).

The City of Greater Geelong presented four naming options for community feedback early in 2024, based on recommendations from the facility’s Community Liaison Reference Group.

Norlane ARC (Aquatic Recreation Centre) emerged as the preferred option among survey respondents and was approved as the official name during Tuesday night’s Council meeting.

The pool hall within the new facility will be named ‘Waterworld’, honouring the legacy of the former aquatic centre at the site.

There was strong community sentiment about including ‘Waterworld’ as part of the name of the overall facility.

However, the position of the Community Liaison Reference Group was that this did not appropriately reflect the diverse range of uses within the new centre, especially the arts and cultural elements.

In line with the reference group’s recommendation, the City will now consult with the Traditional Owners to establish an appropriate First Nations name for the auditorium/community hall.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan shared “Thank you to the Community Liaison Reference Group and the broader community for your input into the naming process.

“We’ve arrived at a good solution with Norlane ARC (Aquatic Recreation Centre) as the overall name of the centre, and the popular ‘Waterworld’ living on as the name of the pool hall.

“We also appreciate the suggestion for the community hall within the facility to have a name that reflects First Nations heritage and we look forward to that process running its course.”

Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken added “It is now time to retire the temporary name for the NACH and erect the permanent name, Norlane ARC.

“The new name has been unanimously supported by the northern suburbs Community Liaison Reference Group, who are extremely proud this major facility is located in the suburb of Norlane, and the name also reflects the incredible diversity of usages in this facility from swimming pools to Geelong's best civic hall.

“This is the largest infrastructure project undertaken by Council outside of central Geelong and I am so glad the wishes of the community have been reflected with this name, retention of Waterworld for the pool hall and a traditional Indigenous name to be developed for the civic hall.”

Norlane ARC  features:

• Lap pool, waterplay area and waterslides;

• Warm water pool, spa and steam room;

• Learn to swim pool;

• Mezzanine level gym overlooking the aquatic facilities;

• Large multi-purpose community performance hall;

• Childcare facilities;

• Health consulting suites; and

• Extensive landscaped outdoor public open space areas.

The name ‘Norlane ARC (Aquatic Recreation Centre)’ will now be submitted for registration with VICNAMES.

Names for the separate components of the facility do not require registration with VICNAMES, meaning the pool hall will immediately be known as ‘Waterworld’.