Adelaide swimming club worried for future as Noarlunga Aquatic Centre closes for year for reno

An Adelaide aquatic centre would close for a year for an $11m makeover – but a large swimming club says it could be its end.

A swimming club in Adelaide’s south with more than 160 members is fearing for its existence amid a potential 12-month closure of its local pool for a proposed $10.8m upgrade.

The Southern Performance Swimming Club, which practices at Noarlunga Aquatic Centre, is worried membership numbers would drop, leading to “financial instability” and “disruptions to training”.

Club president David Busby said the temporary closure of the centre would “jeopardise” the club’s future.

“These disruptions jeopardise the future of our club and the development of athletes who represent our region at a high level across a variety of sports, many of which depend on swimming as a core skill,” Mr Busby said.

The Noarlunga Aquatic Centre will be closed for up to a year for upgrades if they are approved.

“The Noarlunga Aquatic Centre has been at the heart of aquatic sports in our region, yet there has been no meaningful engagement to ensure that the needs of competitive athletes are met in these proposed upgrades

“Now is the time to plan boldly and inclusively. We need a facility that not only serves our pool swimmers but also supports the growing number of athletes in southern Adelaide who depend on swimming as their foundational fitness.”

On Monday, Onkaparinga council CEO Phy Nguyen announced it had secured $5.4m in federal funding to help redevelop the pool’s “ageing” facilities for its 270,000 annual users.

Under the $10.8m proposal, the Noarlunga Aquatic Centre’s roof would be replaced and the lagoon pool would be separated from the main pool.

Amanda Rishworth MP and Onkaparinga council CEO Phu Nguyen at the Noarlunga Aquatic Centre on Monday. Picture: Charlie Dadds,

An accessible ramp would also be added “to enhance inclusivity for all users”, while a modernised filtration and disinfection plant would be constructed to keep the pools at a “more consistent temperature”.

However, the centre would be forced to close for up to 12 months for the works.

An Onkaparinga council spokesman said they were “fully committed to consulting closely” with Mr Busby and “all impacted users to support their needs and minimise disruptions”.

“We recognise the inconvenience an extended closure will have on the centre users, including athletes from the swimming club,” they said.

“While this disruption is unavoidable to deliver these renewal works, the project is a vital investment in the centre’s long-term future. Once reopened, the enhanced facility will provide a more modern training environment, ensuring a suitable space for athletes to grow and thrive.

“We recognise and value the important role the Southern Performance Swimming Club plays as a key Noarlunga Aquatic Centre stakeholder.”

Originally published as Adelaide swimming club worried for future as Noarlunga Aquatic Centre closes for year for reno