Bellarine Peninsula residents are preparing to make a splash with the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre set to open to the public at 6am on Wednesday 1 November 2023.

Just four days later, the community is invited to join in the fun of a free open day on Sunday 5 November, where everyone will have an opportunity to enjoy the state-of-the-art facility.

The project comes thanks to $10 million from the federal government and $5.5 million from the City of Greater Geelong.

Designs for stage two, featuring indoor facilities, have been approved following $20 million each in funding commitments from the state and federal governments.

The new (Stage One) aquatic centre features:

• A stunning eight-lane 50-metre pool
• All abilities change facilities
• Kiosk with outdoor seating
• Shaded tiered seating and landscaped lawn areas
• Parking for 60 cars and electric vehicle charging
• Reciprocal access for all Swim Sport & Leisure members.

The pools seasonal opening hours will align with those at Lara Swimming Pool, also known as the Abe and Jean McClelland Pool:

• 1 to 30 November 2023 (restricted operations)
  Monday to Friday: 6:00am to 10:00am and, 3:00pm to 6:00pm
  Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
• 1 December 2023 to 31 March 2024 (Summer opening hours)
  Monday to Friday: 6:00am to 6:00pm
  Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am to 5:00pm

To learn more, visit our Northern Bellarine Aquatic Centre home page.

Libby Coker - Federal Member for Corangamite

The opening of the first stage of the project will further drive anticipation for the completion of an indoor pool.

Stage One is a significant milestone in our community’s long journey to an indoor pool for the North Bellarine.

An eight-lane, heated pool will go a long way for those in our community who put the bathers away during the freezing winter mornings that locals know all too well.

I look forward to seeing Stage Two of this project get underway and am confident the community will make the most of this outdoor pool over the coming Summer.

The event on Sunday 5 November will be a great opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy these magnificent facilities, and look forward to the future of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre.

Mayor Trent Sullivan

This is an eagerly anticipated opening as residents of the North Bellarine communities have been looking forward to an aquatic centre like this for some time.

I thank the Federal Government for the funding of the first stage and both levels of government, State and Federal, for their support of the upcoming stage two developments.

I also encourage everyone to come along to the free event on the Sunday; it’ll be a great opportunity to get together and celebrate this wonderful facility as a community.

Councillor Jim Mason - Bellarine Ward

I share Mayor Sullivan’s excitement at the prospect of the public having access to the new aquatic centre from the beginning of November.

This really is a beautiful new facility that I expect to serve communities around the Bellarine Peninsula and Greater Geelong area for many years to come.

From the impressive eight-lane outdoor pool through to the shaded tiered seating and beautifully manicured lawn areas, the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre is set to become a hive of activity.