South Australians asked where they want new Aquatic Centre

South Australians will get to choose where they want their new Aquatic Centre – and the existing centre will be returned to parklands, according to new plans.

South Australians will have the opportunity to have their say on the location for the new $80m Adelaide Aquatic Centre when public consultation begins this week.

Among options for the centre are the southeast or northeast corners of Park Two on the northern parklands.

Whichever is selected, the existing facility – in the northwest corner – will remain open during construction of the new centre.

Once building is complete, the current centre will be demolished and returned to parkland.

As well as the public consultation, which will open on Tuesday, the government will begin a procurement process for the design of the facility this week.

Qualified architectural firms will be able to express their interest, before a request for tender will be issued to short-listed companies.

As part of a key election pledge, Labor promised to build an aquatic centre, which will be run by the government and operational by 2026.

The problem-plagued 50-year-old centre, near the intersection of Jeffcott Rd and Fitzroy Tce, costs Adelaide City Council ratepayers around $2m a year to operate and maintain.

Adelaide Aquatic Centre, North Adelaide – proposed new locations.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the government was committed to building a facility that meets the needs and expectations of the community.

“This will be a centre that is used by residents across many different communities in and around Adelaide’s CBD, and it is important that these communities have their say in its future,” he said.

The suitability of the three shortlisted locations was analysed by the council before the election.

Feedback gathered on the location will be reviewed by a community reference group. Adelaide MP Lucy Hood said the new centre would help keep people of all ages fit, active and safe in the water.

The current Adelaide Aquatic Centre in North Adelaide. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“Importantly, the current facility will continue to operate while we build the new centre – meaning the hundreds of thousands of visitors, locals and families who rely on this service each year won’t miss out during the upgrade,” she said.

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said it was exciting to see the state government take the first steps towards delivering the new aquatic centre.“We know how important a state-of-the regional aquatic and wellbeing centre is for City of Adelaide residents and the broader community,” she said.

Feedback on the preferred aquatic centre location can be provided through an online survey at dit.sa.gov.au/aac, or by posting a pin on the online map of the parklands.

There will also be a pop-up information stand at the Aquatic Centre, and drop-in information sessions on June 22 (3pm-6pm) and June 25 (1pm-4pm) at the Adelaide Inn, North Adelaide.

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