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Amazing multi-million dollar Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre opens

New recreational centre opens with wide array of health and fitness activities for people across the region. It will greatly improve the well-being of community benefits and help economic growth.

Opening of a new recreational centre with wide array of health and fitness activities for people across the region. It greatly improve the well-being of community benefits and help economic growth.

By news@gippsland - 23rd March 2021 - Back to News

The new Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre in Traralgon will open on Thursday, providing a world-class health and fitness facility for families across the region. Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas today officially opened the $57 million facility � the centrepiece of the Andrews Labor Government�s $85 million Latrobe Valley Sports and Community Initiative.

The centre caters for competitive swimming and training, leisure swimming, general community use and major events. It includes an eight-lane, 50-metre indoor pool with seating for 500 spectators, an indoor water play zone, two large water slides, a learn-to-swim pool, a cafe and retail precinct and a 25-metre heated outdoor pool.

Victoria�s first public facility

Visitors can relax using a range of health and wellbeing facilities including a warm water therapy pool, spa, sauna and steam rooms, a wellness centre and a gymnasium with group fitness rooms. The centre is the first public aquatic facility in Victoria to incorporate a deep bore geothermal heating system �tapping into an aquifer at a depth of more than 600 metres and using the 65-degree heat from the groundwater to warm the pool.

In a boost for the local economy, more than 500 workers contributed over 100,000 hours of labour on-site, providing ongoing work during the coronavirus pandemic. The project has been delivered by the Latrobe Valley Authority in partnership with Latrobe City Council, with an $8 million-dollar investment from Sport and Recreation Victoria�s Community Sports Infrastructure Loan Scheme.

Continued support for the Latrobe Valley

Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas said, "We are extremely pleased to have helped make the community�s vision a reality � it will be a great asset for the Valley. Whether it�s swimming lessons for the kids or elite competition, the new centre is a huge win for the community � creating jobs and attracting visitors from across the region."

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said, "We are so proud to continue our support for the Latrobe Valley, and now that the GRAC is open, the well-being and community benefits, competitive advantages and calendar of elite sporting events will continue drive pride of place, improved health outcomes, and economic growth across the region."

Latrobe City Mayor Cr Sharon Gibson said, "This world-class centre puts Latrobe City on the map when it comes to swimming and leisure facilities, major aquatic events and the use of geothermal energy, and stands as a testament to community spirit."

Know more about the new facility

The centre will open to the public from 6:00am on Thursday, 25 March, with public health arrangements in place to ensure social distancing can be maintained for everyone�s safety. For more information, visit the health club.