Concept plans for the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre have been released amid rapidly rising construction costs.
The centre adjoins Wurdi Baierr Stadium in Torquay North and Surf Coast Shire is continuing to pursue all avenues for additional funding for the project, to offset rapidly increasing construction costs.
“This project still requires $7.55 million more than our existing funding pledges totalling $39.25 million, but with construction costs increasing by $300,000 a month we cannot afford to pause the design process,” Mayor Libby Stapleton said.
“This model is mindful of the operating costs of the facility, committing to spending that is within our means and not impacting the provision of other valuable services to our ratepayers.”
The concept plans show a 25-metre seasonal pool running east-west, with provision for it to be enclosed in the future.
Two under-cover warm water learn to swim/hydrotherapy pools, each approximately 20×10 metres, are to the east of the main pool close to allied health rooms. Amenities including change rooms are to the south, with a lift to a first storey gym and multipurpose exercise spaces.
“We are doing all we can to deliver an aquatic and health centre because we know it will be critical to meeting community health and wellbeing needs, and it has been a long-held community ambition,” Cr Stapleton said.
“The centre will provide great benefits for our community, importantly catering for users from growing age groups such as young children needing to learn to swim and older adults seeking warm water exercise options and hydrotherapy.”
Concept drawings have been produced to demonstrate the centre’s size, elements and alignment on the site. Aspects such as windows and aesthetics are yet to be finalised and will be part of the next design stage.
“We will now move ahead with detailed design, and look forward to receiving the support of our
Australian and Victorian government funding partners for the revised project scope,” Cr Stapleton said.
“At the same time we continue to advocate for further funding and welcome community support in those efforts.
“This is the most sustainable and financially responsible model for now but if one of our government funding partners was prepared to fund a 50-metre pool, of course that would be welcomed. The concept drawings allow space for a larger pool.”
