In breaking news, Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, along with Liberal candidate for Bass Aaron Brown, have pledged $42 million for the construction of a brand new Phillip Island Aquatics Centre, should the Liberal Coalition be elected at the looming November election.

The commitment “will deliver the facility that the Phillip Island community has long wanted and needed,” Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown said the funding announcement will provide for an eight lane 25 metre competition swimming pool; a warm water pool, which will be able to be used for hydrotherapy and leisure and swimming lesson pool; and a toddlers and kids play pool and waterslides for fun.

A gymnasium with group fitness spaces, spa and sauna facilities, and family friendly change rooms and a café are also envisaged.

“After more than three decades of Phillip Islanders raising funds and campaigning for a pool, I am proud to be able to announce this commitment to finally deliver an Aquatics Centre for the district, if a Liberal Coalition government is elected in November,” Mr Brown said.

“As a former student at Newhaven College, I know that a pool is desperately needed here. The struggle has been ongoing, and laced with disappointment, but the resolve of the committee and its thousands of supporters over three decades has never faltered.”

Mr Brown said that all age group demographics would benefit from the therapeutic health and lifestyle benefits a pool would bring.

He said that local schools have long identified the need for an indoor pool on the island where children can learn to swim, because the distance and time to the Wonthaggi pool by bus often precludes this being included in the curriculum.

“The pool would also be a great asset for developing junior swimming squad participants and local sporting teams wanting to do a low impact training and recovery session.

“The health sector has identified distance from Wonthaggi as a significant barrier when it comes to older adults, people undergoing rehabilitation, and those with chronic conditions, accessing the therapeutic benefits a hydrotherapy pool would bring.

“An all year round indoor pool on Phillip Island will dramatically increase the leisure, health and lifestyle opportunities that most townships across Australia take for granted.”

Phillip Island is one of the top tourist destinations in Australia, visited by hundreds of thousands annually, and an aquatic centre would be an important add on attraction outside the summer season, Mr Brown said.

“Since I was a young boy, I can recall the need for a heated indoor pool on Phillip Island and I am delighted to be involved in announcing this much needed project, which will be of enormous benefit to residents of Phillip Island and beyond, including San Remo and the Waterline communities of Grantville, Corinella, Coronet Bay and Pioneer Bay.

“This announcement is a once in a 50 year project that can greatly benefit local residents and future generations to come.

Olympian Dawn Fraser has been the patron of the Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund Committee since its fundraising launch, which took place 22 years ago in May 2000.

It’s a great day

Speaking immediately after the announcement, secretary of the Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Peter McMahon, who has worked tirelessly for a pool for the last 13 years, made the following statement.

“After almost 30 years, Phillip Island residents have finally been listened to and heard. An Aquatic Centre will bring enormous benefits to everyone in our community . . . the young, the old and everyone in between, in so many ways.

Finally Phillip Islanders will be able to enjoy the health, lifestyle and well being opportunities an aquatic centre will bring, and that are taken for granted by most other communities across the state.

If it had not been for the work of Aaron Brown, the Liberal candidate for Bass, we would not have achieved this pledge.