Across the Bellarine, people value strong community connections and access to places that bring us together to stay active and healthy.
That’s why the next stage of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre is such an important milestone for our region.
Following a competitive tender process, Ireland Brown Constructions has been endorsed as the preferred contractor to deliver the long-awaited stage 2 development of the indoor facility.
The panel recommended Ireland Brown based on its excellent project experience, expertise and the value for money it offered.
Anyone who has spent time in Drysdale over summer knows how popular the outdoor pool at the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre has become.
It has quickly become one of those places where community happens.
The outdoor pool is open year-round, which is fantastic for those keen to keep swimming through every season.
But the addition of an indoor facility will make it easier and more comfortable for many more people to stay active during the cooler months.
Construction on the new facility will start in November and is expected to be complete in late 2027.
When finished, the facility will include a 25-metre, eight-lane pool, a warm water pool, accessible change rooms, a gym, group fitness spaces and a cafe with a seating area.
Both pools will have ramps so older residents, people with limited mobility and parents with young children can get in and out safely.
It is all about inclusion and making sure everyone can enjoy the water, not just the confident swimmers.
Stage 2 of the project will include extended car parking, including two accessible car parks, as well as landscaping and a refurbished entry pavilion.
The Australian and Victorian governments have each committed $20 million to the project, with the City contributing up to $3 million.
When complete, the facility will give the north of the Bellarine something very special, a place to move, socialise and stay healthy through every season.
That is important. The recent Geelong Preventative Health Survey showed only around two-thirds of adults in Greater Geelong meet the recommended activity levels.
Facilities like this make it easier for people to get active close to home.
Warm water exercise is especially valuable for people living with arthritis, managing chronic pain or recovering from injury. Until now, many residents on the north Bellarine have had to travel for that kind of facility.
This project has been years in the making, and it reflects the strong local advocacy that came from the community itself.
Residents turned up to forums, filled out surveys and kept the conversation going about what this centre should include.
This has been a genuine team effort, from early community campaigns right through to council’s careful planning and partnership with both levels of government.
The outdoor pool has already shown how much locals value having access to safe, quality aquatic facilities. The indoor stage will make that access easier and more enjoyable right through winter.
It is exciting to see this long-term vision now becoming real and it is a reminder of what can be achieved when we and work together to advocate for what our community needs.
For updates and design details, visit geelongaustralia.com.au/nbacproject
