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The upgraded Wangaratta Indoor Sport and Aquatic Centre has been officially opened today in the northern Victorian town.

Presiding over the launch ceremony, Federal Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the new facility was a win for Wangaratta, commenting “the new centre can host elite training and major events for competitive swimming, water polo and other aquatic events.

“The Olympic and Yarrunga pools were ageing and structurally damaged, but this new, high-quality facility will provide for the community on a local and regional level for many years to come.

“We know our regional communities are reeling from the impacts of COVID-19, which is why the Australian Government’s ongoing $110 billion infrastructure pipeline is delivering local jobs and building economies right across the country at a time when it is needed most.”

Swimming has the third-highest participation rate for recreation activities in Wangaratta, after walking and cycling and the town’s participation rate for swimming, at 20% is among the highest in both Victoria and across the entire nation.

With the facility providing new fitness and rehabilitation programs including aquatic therapy for injured, post-operative, disabled and high-dependency users as well as aqua-fitness, Wangaratta Mayor, Dean Rees added “we are creating the sporting and events capital for regional Victoria.

“Major swimming events and elite athletes will be attracted to train at this brilliant facility. Our own community will now have a clear pathway to develop our young swimmers, while also catering for our ageing population.”

The project was jointly funded, with the Federal Government committing $4.4 million, the Victorian Government $1.5 million and the Wangaratta Rural City Council $11.02 million.

Having been managed by the YMCA for the last 18 years, as of November last year the Wangaratta Indoor Sport and Aquatic Centre became a Council-operated facility.

Images: Federal Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack at today's reopening of the Wangaratta Indoor Sport and Aquatic Centre (top) and Deputy Prime Minister McCormack with Senator for Victoria and former Federal Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie (below).

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