North Bellarine Aquatic Centre Stage 1 Progress Update

Building works on an outdoor 50-metre pool at North Bellarine Aquatic Centre are nearing completion with a major project milestone reached. The City is pleased to announce the pool is currently being filled with water in preparation for final steps before it will be ready to open to the public later this year.

Last Friday, Mayor Trent Sullivan and Member for Corangamite Libby Coker toured the stage one facility, as the pool reached sixty percent capacity of water. Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant also joined the tour.

The newly constructed outdoor 50-metre, eight-lane heated pool has received substantial funding, with $10 million provided by the Australian Government and an additional $5.5 million from The Council. The state-of-the-art facility features accessible and changing places change facilities, an entry pavilion, a kiosk, as well as significant civil and landscaping works. It has been thoughtfully designed to cater to the needs of the entire community, providing a space for swimming carnivals, learn-to-swim programs, various aquatic activities, public meetings, and multi-purpose events.

The North Bellarine Aquatic Centre project has expanded into the northern end of the sports precinct with its own access road off Peninsula Drive.

The Pavilion building, a prominent component of the aquatic centre, is nearing completion with the installation of external cladding, screens, and final minor works underway. The changerooms have already been completed internally, with minor external works remaining on the building roof. The pool plant room and landscaping are ongoing and will be the final items to be finished.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said he was excited to see the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre taking shape.

"The filling of the outdoor 50-metre pool at North Bellarine Aquatic Centre marks a significant milestone, bringing us one step closer to providing our community with a world-class swimming facility,” Mayor Sullivan said.

“This new aquatic centre means residents of the surrounding Bellarine community will no longer have to travel to Geelong to access a 50-metre pool. We're bringing the joy of swimming right to their doorstep."

“The collaboration between Council and the Australian Government has enabled us to realise the vision of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre, a space designed to foster health, wellness, and inclusivity for all.”

Member for Corangamite Libby Coker said with stage one now almost complete, it is time for stage two to commence.

“Stage one is almost complete, the pool is now full, and it’s time to build stage two,” Ms Coker said.

“Key elements of stage two that are under consideration include lap swimming, warm water exercise, learn to swim and hydrotherapy.”

“The Commonwealth is working with the City of Greater Geelong to make sure this project gets underway as soon as possible.”

Work on the stage one project began in May 2022

The City has received $20 million each in funding commitments from the Victorian and Australian Governments to deliver stage two, and the facility will be delivered within this $40 million budget.

Stage two of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre will feature indoor facilities to complement the 50-metre heated outdoor pool.

Visit the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre Have Your Say page for further information.