YMCA to manage new Adelaide Aquatic Centre

The South Australian Government has awarded the contract to manage the under-development Adelaide Aquatic Centre to the YMCA.

Described in reports as ‘YMCA Aquatics’, Australasian Leisure Management understands that the new facility will be managed by the YMCA Victoria, which has been running the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre at Oaklands Park since 2011.

Set to open in the summer, newly released images of the $135 million development show impressive progress being made on the new facility. A recent construction milestone has seen the installation of the largest wooden beam in the country for the venue’s roof - weighing more than 10,000kg.

Minister Koutsantonis advised “work on the new centre is cracking along, with the entry building taking shape and work on the pools progressing well.

“The site now really gives us a great idea of how it’s all going to look, so I can’t wait to see it all come together over the months ahead.”

Vacancies to be filled
Once operational, the Centre will be staffed by a team of 300, with recruitment set to commence to fill these positions.

Minister Koutsantonis said staff who worked at the old Centre demolished on the parklands site would get first shot in applying for the new jobs.

When finished the new Centre will feature:

• A 50m, 10-lane indoor pool for swimming carnivals, water sports and recreational use

• A 25m, eight-lane outdoor pool

• A dedicated indoor warm water rehabilitation pool

• A dedicated indoor learn to swim pool

• A lagoon outdoor pool

• Entry level diving platforms

• Indoor leisure space, with splash zones and water slides

• Spa, sauna and steam room

• An outdoor splash pad with waterplay

• An outdoor aquatic zone with BBQs and lawned areas

• A cafe available for aquatic centre and parklands users

• Gym and fitness facilities

Test fills of pools at the Centre where first undertaken in December of last year.

The 50-metre indoor pool and the Learn to Swim indoor pool were both filled over several days to test their capacity to retain water.

YMCA Aquatics and Aquatics Events Australia are recently formed business units of the YMCA Victoria.

Images: Construction progress at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre site in North Adelaide. Supplied.