Geelong Council’s decided to keep the newly constructed North Bellarine Aquatic Centre in Drysdale open over winter.
Councillors voted during a meeting on Tuesday night to have the $15.5 million facility operating, after some community backlash to original plans to have the outdoor pool closed during cooler months.
From June 1 until October 31 the 50-metre heated pool will open weekdays from 6-10am and Saturdays between 8am-12pm, before summer hours kick in again from the start of November.
“We’ve heard from Bellarine community members loud and clear that they value a year-round facility,” Mayor Trent Sullivan said.
“Council is thrilled to be able to find budget to support the outdoor pool being open during the cooler months for recreational and competitive swimmers.
“Geelong now has six year-round aquatic facilities, the highest number across all council areas in Victoria.”
The centre was set to close at the start of April, before Council decided to have the centre open until at least the end of May as Councillors mulled over the decision to have it operating year-round.
Keeping the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre open in winter will cost Council another $423,723, bringing the total operating cost of the pool to over $1-million over 12 months.
Bellarine Ward Councillor Elise Wilkinson encouraged locals to make the most of the expanded operating hours.
“To offset the increased operating costs to open all year, we need the community to show its support for the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre by increasing their usage of the facility,” Cr Wilkinson said.
