Contract awarded for South Australian swim centre

Candetti Constructions has been awarded a $100 million contract to build Adelaide's new state aquatic centre at Marion.

The project was in some doubt recently when the private manager, Macquarie Leisure, pulled out of a joint public/private the venture.

South Australia's Sport Minister Michael Wright says the centre will be pursued as a public venture, stating "from a sporting point of view (this is) the jewel in the crown.

"We're the only mainland state that doesn't have a FINA-accredited pool."

The South Australia State Aquatic Centre will include two 50 metre pools, one for lap swimming and the second for diving and water polo along with permanent seating for 1,000 spectators and a minimum of 2,000 extra seats for events.

The recreation component of the Centre comprises a minimum area of 1,000 metre2 of warm water pools including areas catering for learn to swim, rehabilitation and aqua fitness along with a leisure pool with lagoon entry, wave capability and a variety of water related activities including slides and other forms of moving water.