The Victorian Government will fully fund stage two development of the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence visited the site on 5 September and announced that the Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund would support inclusion of:
- A dedicated indoor Learn to Swim pool
- Indoor splash Park
- Spa room, sauna and steam room, and
- More change rooms
These will be in addition to the previously announced and funded:
- 25m indoor pool for lap/squad swimming
- Warm water indoor pool for exercise, hydrotherapy and leisure
- Gym and programs spaces
- Allied health suites
- Café and supporting amenities
The Aquatic and Health Centre will adjoin Wurdi Baierr Stadium in north Torquay, delivering major year-round health, wellness and water safety benefits for people of all ages and abilities.
Provision of a dedicated Learn to Swim pool has been a long-recognised need, and a driving motivation for community members who have advocated for a public indoor pool for Torquay for many years.
It will help ensure that future generations of children acquire lifelong skills and knowledge to be safe around water.
The Learn to Swim pool will also importantly add value to the warm water program pool by easing programming pressures and increasing capacity for rehabilitation sessions or exercise classes.
The splash park will provide year-round family fun and activity.
The stage two funding announcement follows Council's recent awarding of the construction tender for stage one and adoption of a revised budget which allows for borrowing of up to $6 million to cover escalated costs which are being experienced across the construction sector. The total of the borrowing is yet to be confirmed.
Council acknowledges total funding of $36.68 million from Australian and Victorian governments for stage one.
The Victorian Government's unprecedented full funding of stage two will be on top of the $16.68 it has committed to stage one. The stage two funding total is to be confirmed.
Stage two design will start soon. Stage one construction is expected to start late October and finish late 2026.
