West Sale pool keeps aquatic programs running smoothly

Aqua Energy Leisure Centre in Sale will commence its $23 million redevelopment next month, closing the indoor pools and sauna at 5pm on Sunday 29 October 2023 to make way for construction to commence.

With closure a necessity, crucial aquatic services can continue nine minutes’ drive away at the West Sale Pool - located just off the Princes Highway at Fulham. Adjacent to the old TAFE building and the Armed Forces Museum on Lyon Crescent at the West Sale Airport.

Service continuity planning has allowed for aquatic services including Learn to Swim, hydrotherapy and Aqua Circuit classes to continue throughout the redevelopment period, and starting Monday 13 November users can access these services at the West Sale Pool during allocated times.

Families enrolled in Learn to Swim classes have been notified about changes to their lesson day and time. Those whose Learn to Swim arrangements are unchanged will have received communications via email, while anyone requiring adjustments to their session day or time have also been contacted by phone to explore alternative options.

Due to capacity, there will be no lap swimming or casual play swim available at the West Sale Pool. Casual swimming will be unavailable from 29 October until the start of the 2023/24 Summer Swim Season in November.

The closure of Aqua Energy’s indoor pools has gifted locals an earlier than normal start to the Summer Swim Season in Sale, with the Sale Outdoor Pool opening five days earlier than anticipated on Monday 20 November 2023. Guaranteed operating hours for lap swimming and casual play at the Sale Outdoor Pool will be 6am to 9am and 4pm to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 12pm – 3pm on weekends and public holidays.

Anyone interested in updates is encouraged to follow the Aqua Energy Facebook page or check the Aqua Energy website.

In great news for gym-goers, Aqua Energy’s gym will remain open as usual, with only limited disruption to the gym floor and group fitness spaces.

Impacts to member’s hip pockets remain a key consideration, with discounts to be applied to direct debit memberships in line with the level of service disruptions. For members who have already paid for their membership upfront, a membership extension will be offered. All membership discounts and extensions will be communicated directly to members.

A new service continuity timetable is now available on the Aqua Energy website at www.aquaenergy.com.au/redevelopment. Users are encouraged to visit the website for responses to Frequently Asked Questions and to stay informed about redevelopment updates and service programming at West Sale Pool.

The multi million redevelopment is expected to take approximately 20 months to complete, with Aqua Energy reopening in June 2025.

The $23 million facility upgrade has been made possible thanks to the Victorian Government, including $2 million from Local Sports Infrastructure Fund and $10 million from Community Sports Infrastructure Loan Scheme, $950,000 from the John Leslie Foundation, with the remainder of the project funded from Wellington Shire Council. Council is also intending to utilise funds from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.