Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund Inc. - Latest News - Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund Inc

Updated community drop in session times

6/17/2021

After a challenging few weeks, the final dates for the community drop-in sessions on the Bass Coast and Phillip Island aquatic and leisure centre feasibility studies and concept plans have been determined.

There are four drop-in sessions planned – two at the Phillip Island Leisure Centre and two at the Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre, as follows.

Wonthaggi - Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre, 41 Wentworth Road

Saturday, 19 June: 9.00am to 1.00pm
Wednesday, 30 June: 9.00am to 1.00pm

Cowes - Phillip Island Leisure Centre, 10-12 Church Street

Wednesday, 23 June 9.00am to 1.00pm
Saturday, 26 June 9.00am to 1.00pm

You can also have your say by filling out a survey at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/aquatics or provide a written submission to aquatics@basscoast.vic.gov.au.

Due to the ongoing postponements and alterations to the sessions, we have extended the consultation period from Sunday 27th June to Sunday 4th July.

Kind regards,

Jarvis Weston
senior project manager
Bass Coast Shire Council

Council update re drop in sessions for community consultation

6/4/2021

Due to the latest COVID-19 restrictions, we’ve made some further changes to the upcoming drop-in sessions.

As mentioned in the below email, the session planned for Wednesday 2nd June at the Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre has been postponed to Wednesday 16th June, and the session planned for Wednesday 9th June at the Phillip Island Leisure Centre will now be held online.

If you can’t make it to one of these sessions, feedback can also be provided by filling out the survey at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/aquatics or by providing a written submission to aquatics@basscoast.vic.gov.au.

Council is remaining flexible and adaptable through these challenging times to ensure that we provide the community with the best opportunity to have their say on aquatics, as engagement with the community and stakeholders in the project is considered crucial and feedback received will be critical in shaping design and operations of both centres.

The online drop in session on Wednesday 9th June will be held on Microsoft Teams between 9.00am and 1.00pm. During the session, on each half hour, a Council officer will explain the concept plans in detail and then provide attendees the opportunity to ask questions and provide their thoughts.

On Wednesday 9th June, simply click on the link for the session you would like to attend below:

The face to face drop-in sessions will remain as follows, unless further restrictions come into effect.

Cowes - Phillip Island Leisure Centre, 10-12 Church Street

Saturday, 12 June: 9.00am to 1.00pm

Wonthaggi - Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre, 41 Wentworth Road

Wednesday, 16 June: 9.00am to 1.00pm
Saturday, 19 June: 9.00am to 1.00pm

For more information on the project, to view the Concept Plans, or to fill out the survey visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/aquatics or contact Council’s Major Projects Team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211 or at aquatics@basscoast.vic.gov.au

Kind regards,

Jarvis Weston
senior project manager

Council update re drop in sessions for community consultation

5/31/2021

Due to the latest COVID-19 lockdown the drop-in session scheduled for this Wednesday 2nd June at the Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre has been postponed to Wednesday 16th June, so the drop-in sessions are now scheduled as follows:

Wonthaggi - Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre, 41 Wentworth Road

Saturday, 19 June: 9.00am – 1.00pm
Wednesday, 16 June: 9.00am – 1.00pm

Cowes - Phillip Island Leisure Centre, 10-12 Church Street

Wednesday, 9 June: 9.00am – 1.00pm
Saturday, 12 June: 9.00am – 1.00pm

However we will be monitoring the latest government restrictions around COVID-19 and these sessions may change accordingly, and further communications will be made to make people aware of these changes.

In the meantime, please visit the project website www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/aquatics for all information on the project and to fill out the survey to provide feedback.

Kind regards,

Jarvis Weston
senior project manager

Paver sales

5/27/2021

During past fundraising efforts, donations towards pavers/bricks were paid by the community to be laid at the Phillip Island Aquatic Centre once built. From time to time questions are asked about this. As a committee we acknowledge that in total $14,100 was raised with the paver sales, which is currently held by our group. Should anyone wish to confirm their name is on the list they can contact us. We can't publish the list publicly for privacy reasons. Please email info@piac.org.au

Phillip Island residents should start lobbying all Bass Coast Shire councillors to ensure Cowes gets a community pool.

5/26/2021

From the Phillip Island & San Remo Advertiser
.
Phillip Island residents should start lobbying all Bass Coast Shire councillors to ensure Cowes gets a community pool.
That’s the message from the Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund after councillors last week voted to accept a feasibility study – for pools in both Cowes and Wonthaggi – and release it for community consultation, at the Phillip Island Leisure Centre, June 9 and 12, 9am to 1pm.
The feasibility study proposes Phillip Island should have a 25m x eight lane pool, learn-to-swim combined hydrotherapy area, 24-hour gym, and two indoor sports courts, at a cost of $52 million.
The study recommends a $41 million new pool for Wonthaggi – with the current pool built in 1975 – including 25m x 10 lanes, a larger gym, new spa and sauna.
While the shire will lobby state and federal governments for the combined $93 million pool budget, Cr Les Larke last week said it was unlikely the shire would successfully receive those funds.
“Realistically we can’t afford two pools requiring $90 to $100 million in funding, regardless of council’s advocacy,” said Cr Larke, the only councillor to vote against adopting the study.
“My belief is that one regional pool is a realistic objective.”
Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund secretary Peter McMahon said while they supported the shire in seeking joint funding, if a decision had to be made on one pool, it should be Cowes.
“Both centres are needed and if they believe they can get two lots of funding, fantastic,” said Peter, who returned home last week from a month in hospital after suffering two heart events and two heart surgeries.
“If they can’t, then a decision needs to be made on which one is more vital. The only way we can push Phillip Island ahead of Wonthaggi is if the community gets behind this and makes some noise. People should contact all the councillors – not just the Island Ward – to express their concern and position. Councillors will only do something if they get hounded.”
One pool or two?
Cr Bruce Kent agreed both pools would be “fantastic”.
“But they have to be paid for with multi-millions of dollars,” Cr Kent said.
“Which pool do we look at first or do we consider doing both at the same time, knowing the cost factors.”
Cr Michael Whelan said the community needed to “get together and show a united face to government”, to take the funding request to the next state and Federal elections and “hopefully the funds will be forthcoming”.
Cr Ronnie Bauer said he was sad neither pool was 50m, adding Phillip Island needed a dedicated hydrotherapy and learn-to-swim pool.
Cr Clare Le Serve acknowledged Phillip Island had been lobbying for a community pool for many decades.
Cr Leticia Laing said while pools were “sorely needed” in both towns, Wonthaggi’s was “leaking its guts out”.
Déjà vu
The feasibility study released last week was written by the same consultants, Otium Planning, who wrote the last feasibility study for the Phillip Island Aquatic centre in 2016.
Peter McMahon said in the 2016 study Otium recommended a dedicated, separate hydrotherapy pool and learn to swim pool.
However in this latest study, Otium recommends combining these pools with a moveable floor to raise or lower the water levels for children or adults.
“They need to go back to the original plans. I can’t understand why in a short space of time things have changed to bring about this short cut,” Peter said.
“They need a dedicated pool for each of these, otherwise it’s counterproductive. They tried combining facilities at Wonthaggi and it failed.”
The study recommends the Cowes aquatic centre would have a learn to swim pool (20m x 12m); a 23m x 23m splash pad and a 60m2 toddlers pool; two water slides; a 100-seat spectator area; spa, and dry and steam sauna; change rooms; and in the foyer area there will be offices, a reception, lounge, café, kitchen, storage
There will be a large 24-hour gym (600m2) with two group fitness rooms and two sports courts (but no squash courts).
The study states the option of constructing a 50m pool “has been analysed but found to not be sustainable”, based on population size and on the extra $8 million such a pool would require to construct, as well as the annual $250,000 operation costs.
It adds a 50m pool could be constructed in the future.
Peter said one pool in Bass Coast should be 50 metres.
Case for Cowes
Peter acknowledged Wonthaggi’s pool needed to be upgraded, but the feasibility study said it had a further life of 10 years.
“So why would you knock it down now when it’s still in operational condition?”
He said Cowes had been lobbying for a pool long before he started, dating back to 1984 when Cowes Primary built its pool to fill the void.
“It’s needed more than ever now with our ageing population and amount of kids needing to learn to swim.”
Peter questioned the figures used by Otium, including that Wonthaggi would receive more visitors than Cowes and that Cowes’ proposed facility would be more expensive.
He said now the shire had released the study, Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund would be approaching business for fundraising.
He said the buy-a-brick campaign still had more than $100,000 in funds (with detailed financial reports on the fund’s website), adding he welcomed the proposed $100,000 funding by the Bendigo Bank last week for a dedicated hydrotherapy pool in the proposed new aquatic centre.
Sports hub
The 2020/2021 shire budget allocated $2.8 million to create an aquatic centre business case and planning. Otium Planning in 1996 wrote the first feasibility study for the Phillip Island Aquatic centre, paid for by state government.
Earlier this year the shire was believed to have paid $2.7 million for the purchase of the carnival land – at the intersection of Phillip Island and Ventnor roads – for the creation of a 32 hectare sports hub, including the aquatic centre.
The feasibility study states the master plan of the proposed Phillip Island Recreational Reserve would be a “separate piece of work scheduled for future years”.
For more information on the aquatics project, to view the Concept Plans, or to fill out the survey visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/aquatics or contact Council.

Community consultation opportunity

5/25/2021

In 2015 Council adopted a 10-year Bass Coast Aquatics Strategy that recommended the redevelopment of the Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre and the construction of a new district aquatic leisure centre at Phillip Island. In 2020 Council appointed Otium Planning Group to further these recommendations by developing feasibility studies and concept plans for both centres.

Concept plans and draft feasibility studies have now been drafted for each proposed centre, with each being specifically designed to:

Service the current and future populations of the area
Provide for the current and future predicted user markets
Provide for the latest industry trends
Ensure the centres are financially sustainable
Ensure the centres are as environmentally sustainable as possible
Attract funding and a Funding Strategy will be developed during the initial phases of the project.

Council are now seeking community and stakeholder feedback on the concept plans and feasibility studies.

For more information on the project and to make a submission please visit the project website www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/aquatics or view the attachment on how to ‘Have your say’ at one of the drop-in sessions.

Engagement with the community and stakeholders in the project is considered crucial and feedback received will be critical in shaping the design and operations of both centres.

If you would like to discuss this project further, please do not hesitate to contact the Major Projects team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or via email at aquatics@basscoast.vic.gov.au

Kind regards,

Jarvis Weston
senior project manager

Phillip Island’s long-awaited aquatic centre

5/20/2021

From the Phiilip Island and San Remo Advertiser - note the $52 million is not the cost of a new pool, it’s the whole centre which includes a gym and other sports facilities in addition to the aquatic facilities. Bring it on! We know the community is tired and won’t believe till they see it, but behind the scenes our committee has worked tirelessly to get to this point.

Phillip Island’s long-awaited aquatic centre would include a 25m x eight lane pool, learn-to-swim area, 24-hour gym, and two indoor sports courts, at a cost of $52 million, according to a feasibility study.
Bass Coast Shire councillors are tonight expected to accept the feasibility study and release it for community consultation, which will run from May 31 to June 27.
The study – produced by Otium Planning Group – examines population projections, environmentally sustainable designs, and operational cost data to guide the future construction and ongoing operations of aquatic centres in both Cowes and Wonthaggi.
While the community has long lobbied for a 50m pool, the Phillip Island Aquatic Leisure Centre study recommends Cowes have a “district level” 25m competition pool. The study states the option of constructing a 50m pool “has been analysed but found to not be sustainable”, based on population size and on the extra $8 million such a pool would require to construct, as well as the annual $250,000 operation costs. It adds a 50m pool could be constructed in the future.
The study recommends the Cowes aquatic centre would have a learn to swim pool (20m x 12m); a 23m x 23m splash pad and a 60m2 toddlers pool; two water slides; a 100-seat spectator area; spa, and dry and steam sauna; change rooms; and in the foyer area there will be offices, a reception, lounge, café, kitchen and storage.
There will be a large 24-hour gym (600m2) with two group fitness rooms.
The study recommends two stages of development with stage one being the aquatic, health and fitness facilities and a future stage two development – “or if funding allows it to be developed as stage one” – two indoor sport courts.
However, the council agenda – to be voted on today - includes two sports courts (but no squash courts) as part of the proposed overall project.
$93 million lobbying
The Bass Coast Aquatic Leisure Centre Redevelopment Feasibility Study recommends a $41 million new pool for Wonthaggi, with the current pool built in 1975. The study recommends Wonthaggi’s pool be upgraded from 25m x six lanes to 25m x 10 lanes, with a larger gym, new spa and sauna. The current indoor sports courts will not be included in the new design because a three-court indoor sports stadium was built at the Wonthaggi Secondary College in 2020.
Bass Coast Shire is expected to lobby both state and Federal governments for the combined Cowes and Wonthaggi costs of $93 million.
Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund has for three decades lobbied for a community pool and as recently as last month opposed the shire combining the two aquatic projects.
However PIACF president Don Turner last week told the Advertiser they had reversed their previous opposition to the shire’s proposal to seek joint funding, acknowledging the shire would not seek grants for the island alone.
“The committee is comfortable with council going ahead to seek funding for both centres,” Don said.
But if this funding was unsuccessful “it would be up to councillors to vote on which gets the funding”.
“Our committee will be working with council in seeking funding for both centres,” he confirmed.
Costs
Base modelling shows the centre (stages one and two) is expected to operate in deficit in year one to year five, break even in year six and then operate at an annual surplus from year seven. This is based on attendances rising from 290,000 in year one to a high of 320,000 in year ten.
In contrast, “optimistic” modelling shows the centre would have an $18,000 deficit in its first year and then operate in surplus, with attendances rising from 319,000 in year one to a high of 352,000 in year ten. “Conservative” modelling shows an annual operating deficit for all years between $517,000 to $237,000, based on attendances of 261,000 in year one to a high of 289,000 in year ten.
YMCA
The feasibility study analysed operational costs of the Phillip Island Leisure Centre, off Church Street Cowes, managed by the YMCA (who has a management contract with council until June 30 this year).
YMCA annual statistics show total attendances decreased from 173,848 in ‘17/18 to 158,792 in ‘18/19, while the centre’s operating deficit has been increasing annually and was at $331,000 in ‘18/19.
“The current floor space would see the area suitable to meet the needs of 320 members to 480 members. The memberships base in March ‘19/20 was 691 which is above the theoretical capacity of the gym area and equipment,” the study states.
“This over subscription of members use of the area may be leading to overcrowding at peak times which may result in member dissatisfaction.”
There are currently three outdoor swimming pools within the shire, located at Primary Schools, including one at Cowes.
There are three commercial learn to swim pools in the shire, including two on Phillip Island.
Sports hub
The 2020/21 shire budget allocated $2.8m for creating an aquatic centre business case and planning.
Otium Planning in 1996 wrote the first feasibility study for the Phillip Island Aquatic centre, paid for by state government.
Earlier this year the shire was believed to have paid $2.7 million for the purchase of the carnival land – at the intersection of Phillip Island and Ventnor roads – for the creation of a 32-hectare sports hub, including the aquatic centre.
The feasibility study states the master plan of the proposed Phillip Island Recreational Reserve would be a “separate piece of work scheduled for future years”.
Sporting groups last year said they were “desperate” for expanded facilities, including Phillip Island Football and Netball Club’s Chris Ross, who said they had more than 460 footy members and 160 netball members who can’t all fit on the current Cowes oval.

Gentle reminder regarding our Aquatic Centre

12/11/2020

We write to remind you how our quest for an Aquatic Centre on Phillip Island has progressed over time.

In 1994 a group was formed to build a hydrotherapy pool to help our ageing population. In 1996, at the time of amalgamation, the then Premier, Jeff Kennett, agreed to building an Aquatic Centre on Phillip Island and promised money for it. Unfortunately, this commitment was not registered, so the NEWLY amalgamated Bass Coast Shire Council did not have to comply with it.

In 2000, PIACF was incorporated and started a new campaign to build an Aquatic Centre, including hydrotherapy, on the Island. It is pleasing that many of the founding group are still actively involved today, a testament of both how strongly people want this development and their resiliency to keep going some 20 years later.

More recently BCSC produced a plan which was for our Aquatic Centre in 2015/6 to be located behind the cultural centre. In 2016, the new council rescinded the plans and location, aiming to secure a bigger and better location within four months. It is now four years later and we still have no pool!

Phillip Island San Remo has been called the ‘Golden Goose’ of BCSC and rightly so. This area contributes nearly half (at least 47%) of the annual rate revenue of BCSC yet receives far smaller proportion of the Capital Works budget (even including the recent projects over the last couple of years). For example, revenue from Phillip Island between 2012/13 to 2017/18 amounted to $131M, yet only $27M (25.7%) was spent on Capital Works on the Island. The balance, $78.7mil (74.3%), was spent across the rest of the Shire. This has been the pattern since amalgamation!

Remember that the recent State Government investment of $48 million in the Phillip Island Nature Park this does not generate facilities for the local population although it provides some employment for locals (although any increase in employee numbers is difficult to evaluate due to COVID). We understand that Phillip Island and San Remo are a part of Bass Coast Shire, but …. It is also different. Phillip Island is the main driver of tourism in the area. The majority of tourists do not come to visit Wonthaggi, or indeed many parts of the Shire, they come to Phillip Island and the coastal towns. So why haven’t we improved the local infrastructure to improve the well-being of our Island community when it brings in the tourist revenue that benefits the rest of the Shire. The ‘Golden Goose’ needs to be kept in good condition to carry on providing these financial benefits!

Our committee has, at our expense, worked closely with the other sporting bodies on the island to develop an aspirational plan for the land purchased to become the Island Sporting and recreational Hub. Our aspirational plan outlines clearly what we are looking for, as well as most sporting clubs also need not tomorrow, but today, how much longer will we need to wait.

Although this is above and beyond the groups’ original aim of securing an Aquatic centre, we believe that having a clear vision is vital for us all to enable the development of our young people and that the development of such facilities cannot continue to languish. After all, we have been waiting for some 24+ years. Two of our hard working and committed workers, Phil Dixon and Colin Grey, died in 2020 without seeing their dream come to fruition. What legacy can we pass on to their families? That they tried valiantly for 24 years and could not achieve their goal due to Council vacillation!

Our committee calls on all residents of Phillip Island and San Remo to support this project. We need to ensure our children can swim. Whilst we are lucky to call Phillip Island home, we are surrounded by water, but many of our children do not learn to swim competently due to lack of facilities. All of the bodies that monitor water safety stress that learning to swim must occur in still water. We need as a society to keep our elderly as fit and well as we can by providing access to warm water exercises/hydrotherapy. Why do we not have enough Aquatic capability to provide exercise and sporting opportunities for all age groups?

A great deal of money and energy have been invested over time in feasibility studies, which have all arrived at the same conclusion - Build an Aquatic Centre on Phillip Island Now, we are all sick of waiting.

If you agree, talk to your local Ward Councillor, lets make some noise or even become a member - every little bit helps.

The role of a pool in a post-COVID Phillip Island

9/30/2020

The crippling effects of COVID restrictions on our tourist-based economy, are evident by the empty shops in town, increased homelessness, and greater reliance of the PICAL Foodbank.
It is obvious that the process of building a modern, state of the art Aquatic Centre will directly stimulate the economy during the construction phase, and with new employment opportunities both in operational and in health and well-being roles.

What is less obvious, is that the presence of a new Aquatic facility will provide a platform to rebuild existing businesses, and grow new ones, based on multi-day visitation for swim carnivals and training camps using the extensive range of accommodation, dining and other attractions that Phillip Island has to offer. One thing that COVID has made us aware of, is that we must diversify our tourist offerings and focus on the domestic market rather than international tourists. Having a modern aquatic facility can give us such a focus and provide that positive shot in the arm, that is much needed after the huge adverse impact COVID restrictions have had across most of our local businesses.

We are all feeling social isolation at this time, the lack of physically being with our friends and families pulls at us all. We know that providing social interaction and varied exercise is important for mental and physical health and well-being for all of our community. Whilst it is very important for the young need to be able to enjoy play and sport with their friends, we should not underestimate the importance of the opportunity for our senior citizens to engage in safe group activities, especially after feeling so vulnerable during the pandemic. An Aquatic Centre will provide the means to do this.

With the development of the new Junior High School and expansion at the Star of the Sea, there is likely to be an increase in younger families being drawn to the area, especially now it has been clearly established that people can work remotely. This will mean an increase in the numbers of children on Phillip Island and surrounds. We need to cater for this so that we can provide basic water safety classes for children as mandated by the State government. Currently, there is simply not the capacity to do so on Bass Coast Shire. For children who live on an Island, not being able to swim can be life threatening. Having a pool on Phillip Island will address this and result in more confident children, who may even become our future life-savers.

Perhaps the most important aspect of building a swimming pool on Phillip Island will be creating a positive mindset for the future. After all, Islanders will be seeing a dream fulfilled that has been identified as the most desired improvement on Phillip Island by the residents for nearly a quarter of a century.

Why not become a member and hear more of our ideas at our upcoming Virtual AGM on the 6th October.

Notice of AGM 2020

9/29/2020

The Annual General Meeting of Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund Inc. will be held on 6th October 2020 at 6pm via Zoom.

The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be:

1) an update on the progress of the group
2) conducting elections for committee
3) latest version of our Aspirational Recreation Plan

Conducting an AGM via Zoom is a new situation. It will require attendees to pre-register with their name and email.

Please email pmc99110@bigpond.net.au with your expression of interest to attend the AGM and you will be sent to link to the meeting.