Fresh look at the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre

New artist impressions showing a fresh look at the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre have been released – including water slides and splash zones.

Construction on the new centre, which will be complete with outdoor areas and water slides, is planned to start in August. Picture: SA Government

New images have been released giving South Australians a first look at the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre, with early works expected to begin in days.

The current centre will close for at least 16 months from August 1 next year during the $135m building project, which is not due to be completed until summer 2025-26.

The new centre – which will be powered using 100 per cent renewable energy – will have water slides, an indoor 50m pool, splash zones, learn to swim pool and external 25m pool and outdoor play area.

Improved community change rooms, a gym, fitness facilities, spa, sauna and steam room are also included.

The State Commission Assessment Panel has approved the sustainable designed centre in Park 2 at North Adelaide.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said he was excited to see the “transformative piece of community infrastructure” start to take shape.

“We’re establishing a brand new facility that sets us up for decades to come,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“We’re willing to make that tough decision for a temporary closure knowing that it results in a better long-term outcome which the whole community will benefit from more broadly.”

New concept images for the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre have been released, showing the indoor 50m pool, learn to swim pool, and the splash zones, as well as, the external 25m pool and outdoor play area. Picture: SA Government

“We’re confident this stunningly designed centre will deliver a much better outcome for people, and for the park lands.”

Opposition sports and recreation spokesman Vincent Tarzia said that closing the existing centre would break a Government promise.

“Before the election, the Government said that the current Aquatic Centre would remain open while the new one is being built,” Mr Tarzia said.

“So for 16 months, people don’t have any Aquatic Centre at all.”

However, a Government spokeman said there was no pledge that the existing facility wouldn’t close – only that the new Aquatic Centre would be built either on the same site or adjacent.

Sarah Constructions will build the $135 million environmentally friendly centre, which will also result in 1000 square metres of land being returned to the parklands.

A total of $20 million has been allocated by the Adelaide Council to return the space back to the parklands once the old centre is demolished.

The centre will have an indoor 50m pool. Picture: SA Government

Construction on the centre is set to commence in August next year. Picture: SA Government

Lucy Hood, member for Adelaide, said the new centre would be a “game changer” for the community.

“We’ll have more park lands, more pools, more places for family and friends to gather and for children to play,” she said.

“We’ve sought to minimise that through an innovative solution that itself will deliver longer term benefits for other suburban swimming centres,” he said.

The government announced on Sunday that 30 Learn to Swim centres would be used as alternative venues from July next year while the centre was closed after consultation with more than 100 groups.

Mr Malinauskas said the government would also invest in three other existing pool centres at The Parks, Burnside and Unley to enbale them to operate for longer hours, and establish a hotline for people to find alternative swimming facilities.

Norwood Swimming Club president Scott Simpson said it had about 300 members who train at the Aquatic Centre each night, from junior levels to the national squad.

“The problems that may have been foreseen have been solved, and it looks like we do have temporary homes while the centre is being built,” Mr Simpson said.

Prospect resident Ali Blake said her family was “really excited” for the new development.

“We come here every Sunday morning. I’ve got the two children who do lessons every week, then through school holidays we come and play here in the hot weather,” she said.

“They’ve got a great centre down at Marion, but this side of the city, it is time for us to have a great centre, too.”

The government is undertaking an expression of interest process in early 2024 so families can nominate their preferred venue.

Placements are expected to be offered in April 2024.