Ash Bolt
Design works for the new Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre are ready to start, following the awarding of the design tender by Surf Coast Shire Council last week.
Melbourne-based architect Peddle Thorp will prepare plans for the $39.25 million centre, incorporating an indoor heated 50-metre pool and amenities.
Council unanimously awarded the contract at last week’s meeting, resolving that the tender best met project requirements and provided best value for money.
“We are pleased to be taking another significant step towards delivery of this much-anticipated project and excited about what it will bring for people of all ages and abilities,” mayor Libby Stapleton said.
The design process is expected to take up to a year, with construction forecast to start in April or May 2023, and completion estimated for mid-2025.
The centre is expected to include an indoor heated 50-metre pool, a multi-purpose warm water pool, a gym and multi-purpose program rooms, allied health and office suites, and meeting rooms for community organisations.
The project has received $20 million funding from the federal government’s Female Facilities and Water Safety Stream Program and $13.5 million from the state government across two grant streams.
The remaining $5.75 million has been contributed by the Surf Coast Shire Council.
Geelong-based senator Sarah Henderson welcomed awarding of the design tender, hailing the project as a dream come true for the Surf Coast community.
“The Morrison Liberal government is proud to be investing $20 million in the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre, which will be a wonderful asset for community health and wellbeing,” she said.
“The awarding of the detailed design tender is another very significant milestone in this state-of-the-art project.”
Community Sport Minister Ros Spence said the state government was proud to back a project that would deliver high-quality facilities for the Surf Coast Shire community.
“It’s exciting to see this project progress. When it’s complete, more local families will have the chance to have a splash, learn to swim, improve their fitness and get active and healthy,” she said.
Cr Stapleton thanked the federal and state governments and said council would undertake a detailed design phase, taking care and time to accommodate the size and complexity of the project.
“Thanks to the three levels of government working together we have reached this exciting point in the project,” she said.
“We know our community is eager to see the centre delivered and this design stage is critically important. We are committed to getting it right, and not rushing through the process.”
Community members will have opportunity to comment on the design as it takes shape in 2022.
“We will be letting our community know when we reach that stage in the coming year,” Cr Stapleton said.
The new centre will be integrated with the recently-completed Wurdi Baierr Stadium, adjoining Banyul Warri Fields in Torquay North and is council’s largest-ever project.
