Healthy Mates managing director Greg O’Bree said he hoped to open the new business by March.

“It’s a physiotherapy-based hydrotherapy centre,” he said.

“We’re going to focus on recovery, rehabilitation, health and conditioning and swimming lessons.

“It’s going to be an all-round hydrotherapy and recovery complex."

While the plan is yet to receive council approval, Mr O’Bree said it would cost about $200,000 to open the facility.

“There’s nothing like it in country Victoria, apart from Swan Hill,” he said.

“When they investigated the plans for the new aquatic centre at Kangaroo Flat, they found a massive shortage of hydrotherapy centres in Bendigo.

“No-one offers all the services in one place that we will offer.

“We’ve had the Swan Hill operation for just over 18 months.

“We had one football team that participated in our program last year and they actually won a premiership.”

Mr O’Bree will take ownership of the site on Thursday.

The business will feature a hydrotherapy pool, hot and cold recovery pools, a sauna, and conditioning equipment.

“It’s to promote health, recovery and rehabilitation,” he said.

“One of our major target groups will be sporting clubs.

“We will be providing facilities that aren’t readily available to local sporting clubs, but are used by the elite sports teams in metropolitan areas.”  

The centre will initially have four staff trained in a range of fields, which Mr O’Bree hopes to expand.

“Because we’re a physiotherapy provider, people can claim on private health cover,” he said.

“We’re also accessible through Workcover, Veterans Affairs and the TAC.

“We can cater for people with all of those health issues.”

 Mr O’Bree hopes to open Healthy Mates at other sites and will access the success of the Bendigo site.

“This is the starting point for us,” he said.