Adelaide has officially welcomed a major new chapter in community sport and recreation, with the $135 million Adelaide Aquatic Centre opening its doors today and drawing enormous interest from across the state. More than 10,000 people entered the ballot to be among the first through the gates, signalling just how eagerly the long-awaited facility has been anticipated.
The new centre brings together indoor and outdoor aquatic spaces designed to cater for everyone, from elite athletes and learn-to-swim students to families, casual swimmers and wellness seekers. Facilities include a 50-metre, 10-lane indoor pool, a 25-metre outdoor pool, a warm water rehabilitation pool, a dedicated learn-to-swim pool, a lagoon-style outdoor pool, four high-speed waterslides reaching up to 40km/h, splash zones, diving amenities, sauna and steam rooms, gym and fitness facilities, café and retail spaces, and expansive lawned recreation areas with barbecues.
Demand has been strong even before the official public opening, with more than 2,000 people already enrolled in learn-to-swim and squad programs and 1,700 health and wellness memberships snapped up since memberships became available in November. Memberships become active from 5am tomorrow, Tuesday 27 January, when the centre opens fully to the public.
More than 100 sporting, community and health groups will return to the site after being accommodated across the wider Adelaide pool network during construction, marking a significant homecoming for clubs and users who have been waiting for the facility to reopen.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the opening marked a historic moment for South Australians. “We pledged we would build a world-class aquatic centre for the community. It’s been a busy four years, and here we are, getting it done.
“I’m not surprised to see the excitement and expectation for this incredible new centre – more than 10,000 people sought to attend today.
“This is a facility which sets up our state for the future, and will provide excitement, education and shared experience for generations to come.”
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Emily Bourke said completing the project in less than two years from the start of major construction was a remarkable achievement. “This has been an incredible feat of engineering and construction, and I would like to thank the thousands of workers who helped bring it to life.
“This a centre South Australians can feel proud of, and I encourage everyone to visit this state-of-the-art aquatic centre that’s set to reshape health and wellness for all.”
The scale of the build is reflected in the numbers behind it. Around 1,500 full-time equivalent jobs were supported over the life of the project, with more than 2,500 people working in recent weeks to complete the final stages. Construction used approximately 2,800 cladding panels, 685 tonnes of structural steel, 720 concrete piles and 1.35 kilometres of underground plumbing. More than 300,000 tiles were installed across the pools, while over 50 timber beams and columns, some stretching up to 37 metres long, were milled in Austria to support the centre’s striking framework.
Excavation works removed 40,000 cubic metres of soil, helping restore more than 1,000 square metres of space back to the Park Lands. Powered by 100 per cent certified renewable energy and featuring inclusive amenities and improved pedestrian, cycling and parking access, the centre has been designed as an accessible space for all.
Operated by YMCA Aquatic, the Adelaide Aquatic Centre will also offer reciprocal gym and swim access with the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre at Oaklands Park, further strengthening Adelaide’s aquatic network. Local MP Lucy Hood said the rebirth of the centre into a modern, inclusive and vibrant space was incredibly exciting for families, clubs and schools, and thanked the community for their patience and enthusiasm in the lead-up to opening day.
