Regional Sports Infrastructure Program – Surf Coast
The Surf Coast’s reputation for fun and recreation will be further boosted with significant investment into the region’s 2 most popular sporting facilities through the Victorian Government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.
Surf Coast’s projects include:
- Banyul-Warri Fields hockey pitch (completed)
- Wurdi Baierr Aquatic and Recreation Centre, Stage 2.
The upgrades will deliver modern facilities that reflect the Surf Coast’s active and vibrant lifestyle. They will ensure locals can enjoy the sports and activities they love close to home, while continuing to welcome visitors from around the world to this part of our state.
Banyul-Warri Fields - now complete
The Banyul-Warri Fields hockey pitch project in Torquay has delivered a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly hockey pitch with connection to the local Wadawurrung Country.
The project is now home to the Torquay Hockey Club and features eco-friendly Poligras Platinum World Cup synthetic surface, 500 lux sports lighting, electronic scoreboard, sheltered spectator seating and a new car park.
Artwork by local Wadawurrung artist, Billy-Jay (BJ) O’Toole, representing connection and the strength of players have been permanently stitched into the hockey pitch surface.
This project will enable the scheduling of summer competition games from early 2026 for Hockey Geelong while Stead Park in Corio is being upgraded.
During construction, 89 local jobs were created, and 49 businesses were engaged.
Wurdi Baierr Aquatic and Recreation Centre
Stage 2 upgrades to the Wurdi Baierr Aquatic and Recreation Centre (previously known as the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre) will deliver a dedicated learn-to-swim pool, splash park, spa, sauna, steam room and additional change rooms.
The works are in addition to the 25-metre and warm water indoor pools, gym, café and allied health suites already under construction as part of Stage 1, supported by the Victorian and Federal Governments and Surf Coast Shire Council.
These upgrades will enable local families to learn the skills they need to be safe around water and have fun all year round. It will also increase sport and recreation participation across the Surf Coast and neighbouring Geelong communities, while supporting local businesses during construction.
The Wurdi Baierr Aquatic and Recreation Centre is expected to be completed in late 2026.
Latest news
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Surf Coast's new aquatic centre to make an even bigger splash
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Updates
6 December 2024 – We’re diggin’ the new Surf Coast aquatic facility
A new wave of aquatic fun is coming to Torquay with works now underway on Surf Coast’s new Wurdi Baierr Aquatic and Recreation Centre, backed by the Victorian Government.
Torquay is a major hub for surfing and water sports. The new facility will take Surf Coast’s reputation as an aquatic playground to the next level.
The Surf Coast community can look forward to diving into a new world of health, fitness and water play with Stage One works set to deliver an indoor 25-metre pool for lap and squad swimming, warm water indoor pool for exercise and hydrotherapy, gymnasium and program rooms, allied health suites, café and supporting amenities.
The new aquatic and health facility will adjoin and share its entry point with the existing Wurdi Baierr Stadium. Wurdi Baierr is Wadawurrung Language for ‘big gathering place’.
And in more great news, we’re also backing Stage Two of the facility which will include a dedicated learn to swim pool, splash park, spa, sauna and steam room, and additional change rooms. There will also be additional bench seating, plant room, storage, and landscaping, making this facility one of the best facilities in Regional Victoria.
Stage Two of the facility is fully funded by the Victorian Government through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, which is delivering 16 new and upgraded facilities across regional Victoria.
The cost for stage one works is $46.34 million, with Surf Coast Shire Council tipping in $9.6 million, the Federal Government providing $20 million and the Victorian Government providing a $16.68 million funding package.
The facility is complemented by investment into a new hockey venue at Banyul-Warri Fields in Torquay through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.
These projects will increase sport and recreation participation across the Surf Coast and neighbouring Geelong communities and bring more sporting, leisure, and health activities to regional Victoria, supporting local businesses.
10 September 2024 – Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre to make a splash with new upgrades
Surf Coast residents and visitors will enjoy enhanced health, fitness, and water fun, thanks to a major Victorian Government funding boost for Torquay’s Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre.
The extra funding for Stage 2 of the Centre becomes the 16th project being delivered through the Victorian Government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program and the second in Surf Coast Shire.
As a hub for surfing and water sports, the expanded Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre will elevate Torquay’s sport, recreation, fitness, and wellbeing status in the region.
Stage 2 of the project will introduce a splash park, dedicated learn-to-swim pool, a spa, sauna, and steam room. Additional features include new change rooms, bench seating, mechanical plant, storage and landscaping.
These developments build on the Government’s investment in Stage 1, which includes an indoor 25-metre pool for lap swimming, a warm water pool for exercise and water therapy, gymnasium, program spaces, allied health suites, and a café.
Works on the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre are expected to start in the coming months and be completed in 2026.
This upgrade complements another Surf Coast project under the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program — the new hockey facility at Banyul-Warri Fields, home of the Torquay Tornadoes.
These projects will help increase participation in sport, recreation and wellbeing programs across the Surf Coast community, including for neighbouring communities in Greater Geelong, and bring more sport to regional Victoria, supporting local businesses.
Programs like the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program are making the Surf Coast and rural areas across Victoria even more vibrant places to live, work and visit.