Frequently Asked Questions

It will open in the summer of 2025/26.

The existing Aquatic Centre will close on 1 August 2024 until the new centre opens in the summer of 2025/26.

After engaging with over 100 user groups to understand their specific requirements, we’re pleased to confirm that all user groups will have a new temporary home available during the closure period. More information about the alternative venue options available online.

During the design and community consultation process it became clear that the early closure of the existing centre will enable a range of benefits to be realised.

Through this design process it has been identified that an early closure of the existing centre will deliver a range of important benefits, allowing us to:

• return 1000 square metres more Park Land in Park 2 than there is today and make optimal use of the space, integrating the new centre seamlessly into the Park Lands environment.
• create the shortest possible construction timeframe - reducing the duration of impact and disruption in Park 2 for users and the local community by up to 12 months.
• in collaboration with the City of Adelaide, deliver new recreation spaces in the north-west section of Park 2 six months earlier for school and sporting club use.
• ensure the new facility won’t be impacted by demolition and construction works after opening.

We appreciate this will be an inconvenience for users of the current centre, but the early closure provides the best opportunity to minimise impacts to Park 2, open the new centre successfully and achieve the best design outcome.

Entry to the car park will be via Jeffcott Road. There will be no vehicle entry to the facility from Barton Terrace West.

The project includes improved pedestrian and cycle pathways connecting the centre with existing networks.

The new centre will be sustainably designed using locally sourced and low carbon emission materials and be powered using 100% renewable energy, aiming for a 5-star Green energy rating.

We understand the importance of the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre design being sensitive to the Park Lands.

Detailed ecological assessments and surveys were undertaken during the design process to evaluate and subsequently minimise the impact to the Park Lands.

Tree and vegetation removal will be required for the project, however the large majority of trees to be removed are non-native or trees that are in poor health.

The planting strategy, being developed in consultation with City of Adelaide, is focused on increasing biodiversity, improving amenity and re-establishing tree canopy across Park 2.

Please see the vegetation fact sheet (PDF, 254 KB) for more information.

It will be setback 70 metres from Barton Terrace West, an extra 30 metres than during early planning, providing the best masterplan solution, enhancing its connectivity with the Park Lands while improving the amenity for residents.

A traffic assessment found that traffic volumes are predicted to increase only marginally and can be managed by the existing road network.

To manage visitors to the centre itself, the car park has increased to hold approximately 375 car parks and 55 bicycles. The car park will continue to be accessed from Jeffcott Road.

Construction of the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre is underway.

To accommodate construction activities, the oval to the south of the existing centre (including the soccer pitches) will be unavailable from early November 2023.