Surf Coast Shire Council falls short with aquatic centre funding

Plans to build a $38.5 million aquatic centre in the Victorian coastal town of Torquay have hit a hurdle with the Surf Coast Shire Council facing having to use its own funds to undertake the project.

Having secured $10 million for the project from the Victorian Government and a Federal Government commitment of $20 million prior to the last election, the Council has been unable to secure further state funds for the development.

Plans for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre, which would include a 50 metre pool (a condition of the Federal Government funding), warm-water pool, gym and fitness rooms, have been advanced, as reported by the Geelong Advertiser, on the proviso that the Council would not have to make a capital contribution to the project.

However, its application to the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program for a final $9 million grant for the facility have been unsuccessful.

Federal Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson called on the Council to urgently redesign the pool, due to be built on land next to the Council offices in Torquay, for the committed $30 milion.

She advised “with clever design, hard-headed negotiation and absolute determination, I believ­e the shire can and must build this aquatic facility, including gym and ancillary health spaces, for $30 million.

“It is not worth the risk of holding out hope of more funding which may never eventuate.”

Senat­or Henderson said the Council could risk losing the funding allocation due to project milestone requirements, adding “the longer this drags on, the greater the uncertainty and the more expensive the project will become.”

Surf Coast Leisure Centre Action Group President Colin Flower said he remained optim­istic the centre would get delivered.

Flower told the Geelong Advertiser “they’re seen the evidence, got the figures and the new plans: they’ll look at other avenues and try to get the extra money.

“(But) I’m not going to be happy until I see the excavat­ors turn up on the site and start digging the hole.”

Earlier this month the Council voted to include the Centre as one of its advocacy priorities. Other council priorities include the new $28 million Torquay cultural facility and library and the $12 million Torquay town centre revitalisation project.

Earlier this, the Council consider two possible options for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre.

Option one was for a 50 metre pool with eight lanes, a moveable floor and swim wall, at a cost of $29.98 million and an average operating cost of  $806,000 over the first 10 years.

Option two saw the addition of a multi-purpose program/warm water pool, gym and group fitness rooms, at a cost of $38.52 million and an average operating cost of $433,000 over the first 10 years.

Lower image shows the plan for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre.