The Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund Committee continues to be optimistic about the commencement of an aquatic facility on Phillip Island sooner rather than later – before the next council elections in just over three years.

No doubt readers will have seen the diagram of the proposed elements of the aquatic centre in a recent edition of The Advertiser. This showed a 25 metre lap pool (6 – 8 lanes), a learn to swim pool, a warm water exercise pool (also suitable for hydrotherapy) and a toddler play pool.

Our committee is also thinking big when it comes to future-proofing the centre, to cater for increasing demand over time. We would like to see the leisure centre co-located with the aquatic centre, to keep costs down and allow families access to more facilities at the one time.

Another option that could be considered is an ice-skating rink next door to the pool. The advantage of this is that using modern heat-pump technology, it is possible to take the heat from water to make ice for the skating rink, and transfer that heat into the pools.

We also believe that the lap pool could be actually 27 metres, including a 2-metre pontoon at the end, with the possibility of extending this in the future to a 52-metre pool, with a 2-metre pontoon that can be at one end or in the middle, allowing flexible use.

Our committee has been meeting with council and other interested parties – the schools, swimming club, YMCA and health and medical organisations, through the Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Working Group, to resolve issues of location, design elements etc., and these meetings have been very fruitful so far with a high level of co-operation and common purpose.

Obviously, financing the construction, running and maintenance of facilities such as those listed is a major hurdle. However, the community health and well-being benefits will far out-weigh the costs. Think of our ageing community, our school swimming programs, our pre-schoolers and their need to learn to swim to safely swim and surf our magnificent beaches.

We encourage community members to again get enthusiastic about the project. Come along to our AGM on Tuesday August 29. Your presence you will show your support. Better still, put your hand up to join our committee. You can also donate through our tax-deductible fund with the Australian Sports Foundation. For more information, contact our Secretary Peter McMahon on 0418533256 or read recent updates on this site.

Don Turner                President   PIACF Inc.
 

Back in June 1994, the then Shire of Phillip Island worked with members of our group and the Warley Hospital, to investigate an Aquatic Centre for Phillip Island, mainly around a hydrotherapy pool. I have recently discovered correspondence to and from the two parties above. I even have an outline of design and costings of a similar facility.

These facts were shared with the community and a bigger group was formed, expanded, and is now known as the Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund Inc. Many of the founding members have either left the Island, or lost faith of a centre ever being built. Those that remain, can’t believe all these years later that nothing except concept plans have been started and approved by our current Shire.

It was needed back then and is more important today, with the last Census in 2016 showing between Phillip Island & San Remo, 4232 people aged over 60 are permanent residents. Add to that, we have 12,164 private dwellings, which allows for the increase of people within our area at holiday times.
Now we must add the need for all our children going to school, to be able to swim 50mt before entering higher education.  There are 1905 children aged 0-14 years, and 878 children and youth aged 15-24 on the Island. Furthermore, 4627 adults aged 25-59, could also benefit from an Aquatic Centre through a variety of services.
 
What can we do to make what was started officially in 1994 happen, and happen soon?
Our forbearers started it, and we need to get behind the push of the last few years to make it happen.
Words are not enough - we must use every opportunity to make it happen.

What can you do to help?

The 2017 AGM of the Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund Inc is to take place on Tuesday 29th August at 7.30pm in the Heritage Centre, 89 Thompson Ave, Cowes, and you are all invited to come along. All positions will be declared vacant and a new team will be established, anyone interested in being part of the committee should contact the Secretary Peter McMahon on 0418 533 256.

The numbers used in this article come from the latest Census in 2016.

Authorised by the Secretary Peter McMahon – Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund Inc.