Grove told: no pool bid for you

Alex de Vos
Ocean Grove has called on council to bid for a 25-metre pool from next year’s World Swimming Championships in Melbourne.
But a Geelong councillor has poured cold water on the proposal, saying the Ocean Grove pool bid was not a “priority”.
The Independent revealed last week that Geelong was competing for a temporary Olympic-size swimming pool from the championships.
Organisers will give away temporary 50 and 25-metre pools after the championships.
Sport Minister Justin Madden announced one of the two Olympic-size pools would go to Frankston after the event in March.
Member for Geelong Province Elaine Carbines said the 50-metre pool would relocate to a new Leisurelink Aquatic Centre at Waurn Ponds if the Geelong council bid was successful.
Plans for the Bellarine Aquatic Centre in Ocean Grove include a 25-metre pool, an outdoor recreation area and learn-to-swim and water play areas.
Council has warned that Ocean Grove faces a search for $8 million to pay for the facility.
Ocean Grove and District Community Association president Michael Harbour said he would “fully support” a push for one of the championships’ 25-metre pools at the proposed Bellarine Aquatic Centre.
“The association would be fully supportive,” Mr Harbour said.
“The money saved could then be put into other aspects such as enhancing the external outdoor spaces.”
But Cr John Mitchell, who holds council’s sport and recreation portfolio, said council had no plans to put in a bid for Ocean Grove.
“These pools are fairly difficult to get and we think we’re reasonably well positioned to get a 50-metre pool,” he said.
“The Bellarine Aquatic Centre is not as far down the track as the Waurn Ponds aquatic facility and at this stage Waurn Ponds is our priority.
“We’re focusing on the 50-metre pool.”