Images: City of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters
If seeing a pair of enormous waterslides twisting down from a 14-metre tower doesn’t get you excited for summer, we’re not sure what will.
The new Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre is now in the final stretch towards opening, with its landmark dual waterslides officially undergoing commissioning ahead of the facility’s big return this October.
The milestone comes as construction on the major Felixstow redevelopment approaches practical completion, with the revamped aquatic centre set to become one of Adelaide’s biggest new destinations for swimming, water play and family days out.
And this is far more than a fresh coat of paint on the old pool.
The approximately $64 million redevelopment includes a 10-lane, 50-metre outdoor pool, an eight-lane, 25-metre indoor pool, an 11-by-20-metre indoor learner’s pool, a zero-depth waterplay area and, of course, the two new waterslides descending from their towering 14-metre platform.
There will also be all-access changerooms, a kiosk, meeting rooms, shade shelters and picnic seating, while each pool will offer accessible entry via a ramp or lift, with aquatic wheelchairs available for visitors.
Before anyone can race to the top of the slides, however, they need to be put through some serious testing.
And construction company BADGE decided to make those compulsory test runs count.
BADGE SA General Manager Jay Johnson, Operations Managers Ed Whiting and Nick Yorston and Project Manager Isoa Ronavuso each completed 60 trips down the slides as part of the team’s “BADGE Big Freeze” fundraiser for FightMND.
Across 240 test slides, the group tackled a combined 16,800 stairs, climbed 3.92 kilometres and slid 6.1 kilometres, turning one of the final construction requirements into a fundraiser supporting Motor Neurone Disease research.
Mayor Robert Bria said the latest milestone reflected the work that had gone into delivering the new centre.
“Delivering a facility of this scale is no easy feat but collaboration between the Council, BADGE and other project partners has been second to none, to ensure that our community inherits an aquatic centre that stands the test of time,” Mayor Bria said.
While construction is nearly finished, there is still plenty happening behind the scenes before swimmers can head through the doors.
The Council has appointed aquatic and leisure facility operator BlueFit to run the centre, including its swimming programs and learn-to-swim offering. The next several weeks will be dedicated to training, testing and preparing the venue for the public.
The Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre will officially mark its return with a free Community Celebration on Saturday, October 10 from 11am, giving locals their first chance to experience the new pools, waterslides, waterplay area and indoor facilities.
It will be a particularly significant return for locals, with the former Payneham facility having closed four years earlier to make way for the redevelopment.
Bookings will be essential for the opening celebration and are due to become available from Tuesday, September 1.
Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre Community Celebration
Where: 194 OG Road, Felixstow
When: Saturday, October 10 from 11am
Bookings: Open Tuesday, September 1
For more information, click here.
