City of Greater Geelong reopens indoor gyms and pools under strict COVID -19 conditions

November 2, 2020

Aquatics / Fitness / Safety / Venues /

The City of Greater Geelong will be reopening its indoor gyms and pools on Friday 6th November, in line with further easing of restrictions announced by the Victorian Government.

Leisurelink Aquatic & Recreation Centre, Bellarine Aquatic & Sports Centre, Waterworld Leisure Centre and Splashdown Leisure Centre will reopen for limited gym use, group exercise and lap swimming on a pay-as-you-go system.

The indoor gyms and pools will reopen under strict COVID-19 conditions, including:

Up to 20 patrons at pool facilities at a time, density quotients apply;
Up to 10 adults at a time per gym space and group exercise class;
Parents, guardians and carers attending as a supervisor must book as a guest; and
Bookings will be required for all sessions, which will be limited to 45 minutes.
Change rooms, showers and toilets will be open, with COVID-safe measures in place for users.
Saunas, spas, waterslides, splash parks, creche, LiveWell and Aqua Aerobics at the facilities will all remain closed at this time.

The City is finalising plans for a reduced Learn to Swim program for young swimmers in line with current restrictions. The modified program will commence with limited sessions in late November, with an update provided in the coming weeks.

Lara and Kardinia Aquatic Centres remain open for outdoor lap swimming for up to 50 patrons at a time.

Trained City of Greater Geelong staff will be deployed as COVID marshals at each centre to help keep community members COVIDSafe while using the facilities.

Visitors to City of Greater Geelong facilities must wear a face mask at all times when not swimming or undertaking strenuous exercise (unless visitors have a valid exemption), maintain 1.5 metres from others and practise good hygiene.

All suspended Swim, Sport & Leisure memberships, including Webstar’s Swim School membership, remain on hold. Members will be provided advance notice of any resumption of debits.

City of Greater Geelong Chief Executive, Martin Cutter advises “It’s more important than ever to be doing some form of regular activity for our physical and mental health.

“We’re looking forward to slowly and safely reopening our indoor facilities and allowing the community to resume their workouts and lap swimming in a COVIDSafe way.

“A lot of planning has been undertaken to prepare our facilities and ensure we can reopen safely for the community and our staff while adhering to restrictions. We understand many parents and guardians will be keen to resume swim lessons for their children in the lead up to summer. We’re working to finalise plans for a COVIDSafe swimming program in late November and will provide an update soon.”

Bookings are essential at all facilities and will open to the public mid-next week with a pay-as-you-go system online. Walk-up bookings will not be available.

Information about how the City of Greater Geelong is managing the evolving COVID-19 situation can be viewed at the City’s Coronavirus Support Page.

28th October 2020 - VIC Active highlights more than 80% of fitness centres will operate at a loss under reopening plan

28th October 2020 - 9th November reopening for Victoria gyms but with COVIDSafe restrictions

27th October 2020 - Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews says Melbourne’s Coronavirus restrictions will ease from Wednesday morning

26th October 2020 - Victoria’s decimated Tourism Economy needs State Government funding of $1.3 billion

25th October 2020 - Easing of Coronavirus restrictions for Regional Victoria will allow gyms and indoor pools to reopen

19th October 2020 - Victorian Premier omits ‘high-risk’ gyms from state’s reopening plans

19th October 2020 - Victorian Government announces unwinding of Melbourne’s Coronavirus restrictions but with no easing for gyms

16th October 2020 - Fitness Australia’s Barrie Elvish maintains calls for gyms to open in regional Victoria

12th October 2020 - Fitness Australia provides update on meeting with Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer

9th October 2020 - Victorian Aquatic Industry Alliance wants to see children back in the pool

28th September 2020 - No change to fitness centre restrictions as Victorian Government eases lockdown measures

21st September 2020 - Geelong Council pushes for funding to complete design stages of Waterworld site redevelopment

21st September 2020 - Fitness Australia’s Barrie Elvish to meet with Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer to urge gym reopening

16th September 2020 - Victoria’s aquatic industry leaders call for clarity

15th September 2020 - Fitness industry disappointed gyms in regional Victoria cannot reopen under this week’s Coronavirus easing

10th September 2020 - Greater Geelong Council commits to enhanced environmental protections

8th September 2020 - Geelong Council prepares to reopen playgrounds and outdoor pools

12th August 2020 - Site chosen for Geelong’s North Bellarine pool

18th March 2020 - City of Greater Geelong closes facilities in Coronavirus response

9th January 2020 - Geelong pools introduce new water safety measures

15th December 2019 - Geelong Council delivers $3 million funding for sport and community facility upgrades

17th November 2019 - Geelong Council approves Lara Recreation Reserve Master Plan

20th June 2019 - Former Geelong boatyard to be transformed into new beachside park

23rd November 2018 - Bellarine Aquatic and Sports Centre marks 10 years of operations

4th September 2018 - Geelong Leisurelink’s staff development initiatives awarded by Royal Life Saving

28th January 2018 - 300 solar panels installed at Geelong’s Leisurelink Aquatic Centre

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.