Katherine Aquatic Centre officially reopened in time for school holidays
With school holidays a week ago, Katherine kids have just got a ripper boost after a very long wait. Read what’s new.
It’s been a long wait and with temperatures hovering around the 38C mark but Katherine kids are finally back in the swim with the town’s new aquatic centre officially reopened.
And it could not come at a better time with school holidays starting.
Less than a week out from the long Christmas break, mayor Joanna Holden on Saturday officially reopened the cherished facility that was the town’s beating heart for generations of kids.
The ceremony brought together funding partners, project contributors and community members to welcome the return of a “much-loved” recreational, sporting and social hub.
The pool has been closed since March 2024 but the redevelopment was delayed by a shortage of supply for pool liners and other unknown factors. The final cost represented a 20 per cent cost blowout on the original $10m budgeted.
Built with contributions from the Commonwealth and Territory governments and Katherine Town Council, Ms Holden said the opening reflected years of planning and government responsiveness.
“Council is delighted to officially open this fantastic local facility, which is so important for our region’s health and wellbeing,” Ms Holden said.
The project began with the Commonwealth’s $10m contribution in 2022, followed by an additional $300,000 from the NT Government for design and documentation.
In 2024, the Accessible Australia initiative provided $162,000 to fund the construction of an
assisted-change facility and council made a 50 per cent co-contribution to the centre’s changing places facility for disabled people and carers.
Council also invested just under $2 million to deliver the new splash pool, shade structures and 25-metre pools.
Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour welcomed the new facility.
“I’m incredibly proud that the Katherine Aquatic Centre has now reopened,: she said. “The town pool brings our community together and is a wonderful meeting place especially during
our long hot Big Rivers summers,” Ms Scrymgour said.
“It’s taken a lot of time and effort to get us to this point, and I want to thank the Council for all the work they have done.
“In 2022 I made a $10 million election commitment to deliver a new pool for Katherine and “I’m so happy that everyone in town can enjoy their new pool right in time for school holidays.”
Youth holiday drop-in nights are planned for December 18th and December 19th and in January.
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