‘We are on time and on budget’: Adelaide Aquatic Centre taking shape with slabs laid for pools

Concrete slabs have been laid for three of the new pools that will make up the Adelaide Aquatic Centre with new footage showing the progress at the $135 million project. Watch the video.

The new $135m Adelaide Aquatic Centre is taking shape with a firm commitment it will be delivered “on budget and on time”.

The former 50m pool, diving pool and learn to swim area is now a field of dirt as new slabs laid for the three new pools that will replace them.

Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the new facility – to be used by “hundreds of thousands of people each year” – would come in “on time and on budget”.

He was less adamant on the opening time, committing only to late 2025 or early 2025.

“Commissioning is an issue – we want to make sure we get that right,” he said.

“But we are hoping for either late 2025 or early 2026.

“We want to make sure it is operational, the pool pumps are working, make sure the air conditioning is working.

“But we are on time and on budget.”

The new $135m Adelaide Aquatic Centre is taking shape.

The new centre will include a 50m 10-lane indoor pool that will also be able to host swimming carnivals and other water sports, and a warm water rehabilitation area with water temperatures kept between 32 and 34 degrees year-round.

Work on the remaining pools including an indoor splash zone, outdoor lagoon and 25m pool will continue in January.

Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said the centre was “clearly an attempt by Labor to sandbag a Labor seat”.

“We know originally this was a project that was only going to cost $80m and now it’s going to cost $135m,” he said.

“There’s a difference right there, $55m effectively, and for what? An extra splash zone and water slide.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the centre would be a “huge step forward for water recreation in Adelaide”.

“The progress here at the site of the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre is fantastic to see, with three of the pool slabs now laid and the structure of the building taking shape,” he said.