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$21 million needed to repair the Aquatic Centre

Costs to improve the Aquatic Centre have blown out, a report shows. It comes as the Crows tonight present its plans for a $65 million revamp.

Adelaide Aquatic Centre in North Adelaide. Picture: Matt Loxton
Adelaide Aquatic Centre in North Adelaide. Picture: Matt Loxton

The repair bill of the Adelaide Aquatic Centre has blown out to $21 million, a new report shows.

An Adelaide City Council draft report into the usage and condition of the centre (AAC) showed an investment of up to $21 million over the next 10 years would be needed for a revamp – up from the $15 million proposed earlier this year.

It comes as the Adelaide Crows tonight present its $65 million plans for a training and administration complex at the site

“It is now in poor condition requiring an estimated capital investment of up to $21 million over the next 10 years, an investment that won’t deliver any substantial functional benefits,” the report, which was outsourced to a consultant, said.

Areas identified as needing major work include the centre’s dive pool, 50m pool boom, eastern grandstand, spa, sauna, steam room, change rooms and dive platforms.

In 2018/19, there were about 714,000 visits to the centre, significantly below the council’s target of 1.3 million.

Of the 714,000 visits, Port Adelaide Enfield residents used the centre the most (22.6 per cent), followed by Charles Sturt (17.1) and Prospect (16.5).

Deputy Lord Mayor Alexander Hyde said should the Crows development not go ahead, the council would need assistance to operate the centre.

This could mean partnering with other councils and the State Government to share the cost.

“The costs before us make it clear that we need to partner in order to continue delivering even a reduced service,” Cr Hyde said.

“Our ratepayers can’t continue to prop up the centre which is overwhelmingly used by neighbouring councils.”

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Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor was contacted for comment.

Each year it costs the council $700,000 to operate the centre, which was converted into an indoor pool in 1985.

Earlier this month, The Advertiser reported the centre was a “blackhole” for ratepayers’ money, with the council already spending $18 million over the past 10 years to improve the centre.

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/city/21-million-needed-to-repair-the-aquatic-centre/news-story/f8ae03f86cc733e3b082e6ffb20be1a7