Warrnambool pool closes in third regional loss this year
The Victorian Department of Education is closing Warrnambool College's swimming pool in December, citing costly repairs and end-of-life wear.
Hundreds of people rallied on Sunday to oppose the planned closure of Warrnambool College's swimming pool, announced on Thursday. The Victorian Department of Education said the pool has reached the end of its practical life.
The pool has become too costly to maintain and repair. The department will decommission and demolish it from 2027.
This closure is the third pool to close in the Warrnambool region since the end of last year. Every school in the town except two uses the college pool for swimming lessons.
Former student Sam Pendergast, who represented Australia in the Youth Olympics, credits his career to training there. He worries future swimmers will lose the chance to compete at a national level.
"This pool allowed the swimming club to go from one or two national level swimmers to dozens," Pendergast said.
- December 2026
- Closure date
- Start of 2027
- Demolition start
- Third since end of last year
- Regional pool closures
- Youth Olympics, Notre Dame scholarship
- Pendergast achievement
Why it mattersThe closure removes a key training facility for young regional swimmers and eliminates access to the pool for school curriculum programs.
AustraliaRegional Victorian students will lose a major swimming resource, affecting school sport and pathways to elite competition.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 4 d ago
