The City of Greater Geelong has written to the State Government to request they re-direct Commonwealth Games legacy funding from a proposed new learn-to-swim pool at Armstrong Creek to a new Regional Indoor Sports and Events Centre to better serve the community.
Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan wrote to Premier Jacinta Allan today to inform the Government a future-proofed indoor complex to cater to soaring participation in basketball and netball would provide better value for public money.
Mayor Sullivan
The Council has consistently said the proposed Armstrong Creek aquatics facility is not a community priority as there are already existing or planned pool complexes close to the proposed new project.
Council must make decisions that are in the interests of all community members and taking on an additional swimming pool that is not needed is financially irresponsible. It puts an unnecessary financial burden on current and future rate payers.
Following the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games the State Government said it would continue with three regional sporting infrastructure projects within the City of Greater Geelong.
The projects are:
- Armstrong Creek (learn-to-swim pool, 4 high ball courts)
- Waurn Ponds (6 community high ball courts, gymnastics, dance studio)
- Corio - Stead Park (hockey pitch, pavilion)
Mayor Sullivan
We request the State Government work with community and Council to deliver on the long-term aspiration for a Regional Indoor Sports and Events Centre (RISEC), similar to what is currently available in other regional Cities such as Bendigo and Ballarat.As the second largest City in Victoria this is an essential piece of community infrastructure that is required to support the growth and development of high-level competition and elite level sport as well as attract major sporting events and teams to the region.'
Council will not accept the ongoing asset management of the 25x25 metre pool at Armstrong Creek. The July 2022 Aquatic Demand Analysis that was funded by the Victorian Government determined that there wasn't demand for another aquatic and leisure centre in Armstrong Creek.
This is due to the close proximities to other existing or planned facilities, including three facilities within 15km of the proposed site (Kardinia, Waurn Ponds, Moolap), two facilities within 20km of the site (Ocean Grove, and Norlane) and one additional site (Drysdale). Further the Surf Coast Shire are delivering a $46 million Aquatic and Health Centre that will service the Armstrong Creek Community.
Mayor Sullivan
Whilst we understand the desire for governments to deliver on projects they have promised, the City would like to deliver projects that demonstrate value-for-money and which meet community need. Council requests that the funds set aside to deliver the aquatics component at Armstrong Creek be set aside to deliver a RISEC at Waurn Ponds.The delivery of a RISEC is a strategic priority for a regionally recognised netball and basketball venue, with over 10,000 netballers alone in the region and the Geelong Cougars (a Victorian Netball League club and 2023 Premiers) without a home court. There are over 8500 registered basketballers in Geelong and 11,500 in the G21 region. Approximately 10 per cent of the population of the region participate in either netball or basketball and both sports are growing.'
The need for this facility is also highlighted in the City's Indoor Recreation Facilities – Basketball and Netball Needs Analysis Feb 2022 which found that 17 additional indoor sports courts would be required by 2030 to meet demand. Another key recommendation was "commence planning for a major regional indoor sports venue with a sports venue with a Show Court catering for up to 5000 spectators.
The City of Greater Geelong looks forward to working with the State Government to explore the redirection of funds from the Armstrong Creek Aquatic Facility to the Waurn Ponds RISEC to ensure it can be delivered close to its original scope and to make it a regionally recognised facility.
