Re-elected Liberal government to spend $25m on North Adelaide Aquatic Centre, after criticising Labor’s $80m announcement

The battle of the pool is on, with the state government promising to spend $25m on the North Adelaide Aquatic Centre – less than what Labor has pledged.

The state government will spend $25m on a new North Adelaide Aquatic Centre if re-elected, in a joint-funding venture.

A three-tiered cash splash with the Adelaide City Council and federal government, the council-operated pool is estimated to cost a total of $75m-$85m.

Commitment for funding has been approved by the state government and city council, and remains with the federal government for a final decision.

The announcement ignited a pre-election battle over the pool, after Labor leader Peter Malinauskas’s February 12 promise of an $80m entirely government funded pledge to redevelop the centre at North Adelaide.

Like Labor’s plan, the Liberals, city council and federal government would include a 50m and 25m indoor pool, large indoor water play area and leisure pool, learn to swim pool and spa.

Peter Malinauskas caused quite a stir when he took his shirt off to hop in the pool at North Adelaide following his $80m pledge announcement. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Premier Steven Marshall will lead a government that will contribute to a new centre, if re-elected. Picture: Morgan Sette

It would also make allowances for a gym, group fitness areas and warm hydrotherapy pool.

A re-elected Liberal government would ensure the centre is run by the city council, while Labor’s plan was to run the centre themselves.

Treasurer Rob Lucas said the $25m figure, previously reported by The Advertiser as the projected rate for a joint funded Aquatic Centre, was submitted to the state government by the council in November last year.
“The contrast with the Malinauskas Labor Opposition’s promise to burden South Australian taxpayers with the entire cost of its $80m facility could not be clearer,” Mr Lucas said.

He said that taxpayers will “have to pay up to $2m every year” to operate the centre.

“There is no doubt that the Adelaide City Council and the federal government should be co-

funding this community facility – it is not and should not be the sole responsibility of South

Australian taxpayers.”

The Adelaide Aquatic Centre at North Adelaide. Picture: Brenton Edwards

In a strongly worded announcement, Mr Lucas said Mr Malinauskas had been “played by the Adelaide City Council” and that taxpayers would foot the bill for his “rookie error”.

At Labor’s announcement, Mr Malinauskas said maintaining the Aquatic Centre was hindered by “Band-Aid solutions one after the other”.

“It’s now got to a point where the Adelaide Aquatic Centre is in a state of decay,” he said.

It is costing the Adelaide City Council money year on year just to keep the doors open, when what we really should have is a state-of-the-art centre, with state-of-the-art equipment that keeps people flowing through those doors and actually ends up returning to the South Australian taxpayer.”

Mr Malinauskas said the centre was an investment into SA’s future.

“This is a comprehensive centre for a comprehensive outcome to ensure that young people, old people could enjoy all the benefits of aquatic activity and keeping healthy,” he said.

“And that’s been a real influencing factor in our decision.”