Two world class swimming pools to be constructed at Armstrong creek for the 2026 Commonwealth Games will reportedly be scrapped as soon as the event is over.While the Victorian government has been spruiking the ongoing benefits of new facilities purpose-built built for the Games, documents obtained by the media suggest the $110 million swimming and diving pools will only be a temporary installation.
The site will be transformed into a multi-discipline community centre when the international event is done, according to a report in the Herald Sun.
The replacement facility will include sports courts, green open space and a community pool, with the redevelopment due to get underway within months of the closing ceremony.
According to NewsCorp the government plans to build games infrastructure in two stages: “games” mode in the lead-up to the 2026 event, and “legacy” mode that will re-purpose facilities for ongoing private or community use.
The plan has been savaged by Polwarth MP and opposition housing spokesman, Richard Riordan, who described the idea as “stupid”.
He told Geelong Broadcasters that “makeshift blow-up pools” do not suit Geelong’s “surf and swimming” culture.
“To think that we’re bringing the world to our city and our region, and yet we’re not clever enough to to create a lasting legacy that we can all be proud of and be known as a surfing-swimming outdoor capital,” Mr Riordan said.
“Everybody in Geelong and the Surf Coast realises the Surf Coast community’s been dying for a decent swimming pool.
“The Kardinia Park precinct could do with a world-class upgrade of the state swimming services there.
“This is crazy. $110 million could have been invested to create a fantastic legacy for Geelong and the Surf Coast.”
Image: artist’s rendering of the dual Armstrong Creek poools planned for the 2026 Commonwealth Games (supplied)