Making a splash: Mayor John Mitchell and South Barwon MP Michael Crutchfield launch the Leisurelink pool this week. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 53024
Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG’S council officially opened ratepayers’ biggest investment when the first swimmers plunged into Belmont’s new $31 million Leisurelink this week.
After several months of delays and a budget blowout, keen swimmers took their first dip in the indoor leisure centre’s pool on Tuesday amid chilly temperatures outside.
Ratepayers provided $28 million and Victorian taxpayers a further $3 million for the facility.
Mayor John Mitchell said residents deserved a state-of-the-art swim centre.
“This is the biggest project ever undertaken by the City,” he said.
“It’s been a long time in the making and I’m really excited that it’s now open for the whole community to use and enjoy.”
The centre includes an eight-lane, 50-metre competition swimming pool, three smaller, a gym and aerobics centre, a spa and a sauna.
Cr Mitchell said replacing the previous Leisurelink, in Reynolds Road, was essential to meet demand from growth around Geelong.
“The new Leisurelink will be arguably the best leisure centre in regional Victoria,” he said.
“It will cater for our current and future residents, including the new Armstrong Creek (growth area).
“Most excited of all are Leisurelink’s 5000-plus members.
“The new centre is a drastic improvement on the old one – the gym and the pools are twice as big.”
A water park section of the centre opening next month will feature two 12.5-metre-high waterslides as well as a range of other attractions.
