Alpine Shire Aquatics and Indoor Stadium Feasibility Study

What is the Aquatics and Indoor Stadium Feasibility Study?

The Aquatics and Indoor Stadium Feasibility Study was initiated in response to growing pressure on indoor stadium infrastructure, as well as strong community interest in aquatics identified in our Sport and Active Recreation Plan 2022. 

While there are clear benefits of participation in aquatic activities, it can be challenging from an economic perspective to provide aquatic facilities in areas with a low population.

Further research needed to be undertaken to determine the type of aquatic opportunities desired by Alpine Shire communities to really understand the optimum and achievable scenarios for pool allocation throughout our region.

In 2024, we engaged Solucio Pty Ltd to undertake the Feasibility Study. 

What is the scope?

The objectives of the Feasibility Study include:

• Assessing the current condition and functionality of existing facilities;
• Identifying service gaps and future community requirements; and
• Providing evidence-based recommendations for future investment, upgrades, or redevelopment.

The facilities under review include:

• Bright Sports Centre (built 1990);
• Mount Beauty Pool (built 1987) and Stadium (built 1990); and
• Myrtleford Pool (built 1930) and Stadium (redeveloped 2023). 

Community engagement

The study was shaped by:

• Independent site audits and technical inspections;
• Market demand and benchmarking analysis;
• Stakeholder and community consultation (including 232 community surveys, seven stakeholder interviews, and three officer workshops); and
• A feasibility assessment and options analysis. 

Based on the responses received as a result of stakeholder and community consultation, we heard the following:

Aquatics 

• Pools are ageing and expensive to maintain;
• There is limited year-round access for swimming, rehab, and learn-to-swim programs;
• Assets remain structurally sound, with 20+ years of life remaining; and
• We currently subsidises aquatic operations by ~$18 per visit. 

Indoor Stadiums 

• Local clubs lack training space due to insufficient courts;
• There is high demand for multi-sport use, especially basketball; and
• There is a key opportunity to redevelop Bright Sports Centre to address service gaps.

What are the next steps?

Consultation on the draft report closed on Monday, 5 January 2026.  

The final Feasibility Study will be considered by Councillors at a future Ordinary Council Meeting in 2026.