Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre calling for operators to apply

The City of Darwin has put the call out for local operators to apply and become part of the new Casuarina Aquatic Centre, whether it’s a gym, café, shops or health services.

The exciting new Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre is really taking shape.

Shade structures and buildings are going up fast, and City of Darwin has put the call out for local operators to apply and become part of the new hub, whether it’s a gym, café, shops or health services.

City of Darwin is keen to receive proposals that show innovation, demonstrate community benefit, and are economically viable.

Lie back and relax, read a good book, enjoy a delicious picnic or BBQ - the grassy lounge lawn is an inviting space to take a break. If you prefer to be more active, there’s also a basketball half-court that has been built to 3 x 3 play specifications. Or if kicking a ball is more your style, there’s plenty of open grass space too.

To beat the heat and protect from the sun, both the eight lane 50-metre pool and the six lane 25-metre pool will be 70% covered by solid shade structures. The 25-metre pool is also temperature controlled.

Consideration will also be given to how proposals align with the city’s strategic plan.

The internationally renowned and award-winning Myrtha pool system is currently being installed after arriving from Italy for the 50-metre and 25-metre pools.

City of Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the $26.8m centre would be a special place to be enjoyed by generations of families and the community.

A fun resort-style lagoon is sure to become a family favourite, with an aqua tower, fountains, water squirts and plenty of shallow water to make a splash. On dry land, there’s more interactive engagement for the kids including a unique Sensory Dome which is a thrilling and sensory playscape.

The centre has been designed for ease of access to buildings, playgrounds and recreation areas. To encourage access for all there is zero depth access to all pools and a specially designed changing places facility.

“Having a world-class, accessible recreational space to play, swim, eat and relax fits so many of our strategies, including having a Safe, Liveable and Healthy City, and a Cool, Clean and Green City,” he said.

“The centre is a major new development for our city, and we want to ensure it is a vibrant and welcoming place for everyone to enjoy.

“The final design not only looks fantastic, but it’s also a great reflection of what our community and key stakeholders told us they wanted,” Mr Vatskalis said.

The centre is expected to be open in late 2024 and is set to become a dynamic community hub that provides safe, accessible and healthy options for exercise and fun.

For project updates, visit darwin.nt.gov.au/projects/casuarina-aquatic-and-leisure-centre.