Construction at the site of the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre is underway, as work on the state-of-the-art complex shifts up a gear.
Excavators are removing more than 22,000 cubic metres of soil in preparation for building the base structure of the $135 million project.
Work on installing more than 700 piles to support the building and aquatic structures is starting after the completion of the earthworks.
The earthworks and piling works represent the first major steps of the build following planning approval for the sustainably designed centre in North Adelaide’s Park 2.
Some of the excavated soil will be temporarily stored onsite for reuse to backfill the existing centre pools after the demolition works are completed later in the year.
The new centre – which will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and constructed wherever possible of locally-sourced, low-carbon emission materials – will feature extensive indoor and outdoor pool areas, water slides, splash zones and lawned recreation facilities.
In addition, it will also contain gym and fitness facilities, a spa/sauna/steam room and improved community change rooms.
More than 1000 square metres of land will be returned to Park Lands once the new centre is completed and the existing centre is demolished and returned back to Park Lands.
More than 1500 jobs will be supported over the life of the project.
To deliver this world-class facility and minimise the impact of construction on the Park Lands, the existing aquatic centre will close on 1 August 2024 with the new centre to open in the summer of 2025-26.
More than 100 sporting, community and health groups that use the existing pool and the Learn to Swim program will be accommodated at alternative venues across the Adelaide pool network until the new centre opens.
Over 1800 participants who are enrolled in Learn to Swim classes have lodged an Expression of Interest to nominate their preferred alternative venue.
The EOI opened in late January and closed on 29 February with placement offers expected to be made in April.
Sports Vouchers worth $150 will be made available to all Learn to Swim program participants at the existing Aquatic Centre – who register through the EOI process and take up a place at an alternative pool – to ease the cost on families during the construction period.
Quotes
Attributable to Tom Koutsantonis
South Australia is building – and it’s exciting to see work underway on this significant piece of community infrastructure, which will benefit all South Australians.
We’re delivering a sustainably-designed swimming centre that will be built responsibly using locally-sourced, low carbon materials wherever possible. That is good for local jobs and good for the environment.
This work is creating an iconic structure that will meet the needs of the community for many years to come – but it’s also creating jobs, with more than 1500 supported across the life of the project.
Attributable to Lucy Hood
Our brand new Adelaide Aquatic Centre will be a game-changer for our community.
Indoor and outdoor pools; rehabilitation and learn-to-swim pools; 100 per cent powered by renewable energy and more park lands returned to the community - now that’s a win-win.
As a former swimming instructor I am so passionate about kids’ water safety so I’m thrilled to see hundreds of families nominate an alternative location for their children’s swimming lessons while the new centre is built.
We cannot wait to welcome them back to the brand new centre in the summer of 2025-26.
