Opening of new Mornington Peninsula aquatic centre to be delayed by naming process

The opening of Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Rosebud Aquatic Centre looks set to be delayed with Councillors have opted to conduct a public vote on the naming of the facility.

The opening of a long-awaited aquatic centre was scheduled for December, but is expected to be pushed back by two months, after a six month process failed to come up with a name for the pool.

Despite a comprehensive process which involved asking community members to submit name suggestions, and naming advice from an expert panel, Mornington Peninsula Councillors have voted against choosing a name from those suggested.

Instead, Councillors want residents to be given the chance to vote for one of five shortlisted names: Gunawarra Aquatic Centre, Rosebud Aquatic Centre, Barbawar Aquatic Centre, Yawa Aquatic Centre and Tides Aquatic Centre.

The decision is expected to increase the cost of the project by at least $200,000 and delay the opening of the centre by two months.

The Council’s most recent communication on the Centre advised that “construction (remains) on track despite (the) Coronavirus challenge.”

In November last year the Council appointed Belgravia Leisure as the facility manager for a five-year period.

Image shows the architect's concept for the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Rosebud Aquatic Centre. Courtesy of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.