By Justin Flynn
Surf Coast Shire has tipped in a further $500,000 to help fund the establishment of the $39.25 million Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre in Torquay.
The shire had already committed $5.25 million but will borrow an extra $500,000 for the project to be delivered.
The centre will house a community health, fitness and wellbeing centre with an indoor 50-metre heated pool, multi-purpose warm water pool, gym and multi-purpose program rooms, as well as allied health suites and community meeting spaces.
“I am proud that we have made this historic decision and excited by what the aquatic and health centre will bring to our community,” mayor Libby Stapleton said.
“In making their decision councillors acknowledged that funding commitments already in place from the Australian and Victorian governments presented an opportunity too good to be missed.
“Council had already resolved on the site, the scope and made a significant commitment of land, cash and borrowings. This decision to provide the last piece of the funding puzzle enables this wonderful project to go ahead for the benefit of people of all ages and abilities across generations.
“We considered our options to seek further external funding but are realistic that our funding partners have already been generous and that further grants are unlikely, and further delays are unhelpful for everyone.”
The extra $500,000 will lift council’s total available borrowings for the project to $4.75 million and add $27,000 in estimated annual debt servicing costs.
Meanwhile, a new 50-metre outdoor pool for the north Bellarine is a major step closer after the City of Greater Geelong endorsed concept plans for the facility and put forward significant funding in its draft 2021-22 budget.
In response to community feedback seeking further aquatic facilities at the site, councillors also resolved to advocate for funding for a future stage two of the project.
The pool will be built at Drysdale Sporting Precinct, with council allocating $1.5 million for the facility in 2021-22, with a further $2.75 million projected in forward planning for 2022-23.
