Swim school backed
Bellarine proposal
AS the indefinite Portarlington Pool closure enters its ninth month, plans have emerged for a new swim school alternative on the Bellarine Peninsula.
A planning application for an indoor swim school to be built in the backyard of a home in Drysdale has been lodged with the City of Greater Geelong, complete with change rooms, toilets and a threespace carpark.
The pool will only be 8m long, a far cry from traditional 25m-long teaching pools.
The facility would be run by Seanic Swim School.
Owner and operator of Seanic Swim School Leonie Villella, who for the last 11 years has run the school out of an even smaller indoor pool on her property in Wandong, north of Melbourne, said she was not worried about the task of attracting students.
“There is a need for a smaller individual swimming centre in the area,” Ms Villella said.
“There are a lot of people with autism and learning disabilities who don’t like going to big pools. Where I am now I have people coming from up to half an hour away for classes.”
As part of the proposal, a studio apartment would be built on top of the pool with a separate car space on the side.
Liberal MP for Western Victoria Simon Ramsay has previously called on the State Government to look into establishing a Water Safety Centre at the Drysdale Sports Precinct, in the wake of the closure of the Portarlington pool.
Bellarine Community Council executive director Tom O’Connor said no matter where it was, he supported the establishment of pools in area.
“Young children, especially, are the most vulnerable, particularly living here in Bellarine with the waterfront. It’s so important they have a background in swimming,” Mr O’Connor said.
“It sets a precedent for the pools we’ve been looking at for the northern part of the Bellarine since the closure of the Portarlington pool. It’s a great step forward.
“I don’t think it matters where it is, water safety starts in the pools and anyone trying to establish swimming training for young people should be encouraged.”