COM: SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre | $100m

[SRW]

More details:

SA Govt takes on Marion pool plan
ABC News Online, 12 February 2009

The South Australian Government is taking over the design and construction of the new aquatic centre at Marion.

The Government says the decision has been made after a member of a private consortium which was meant to build and operate the pool pulled out of the deal.

The aquatic centre is expected to cost $80 million, $30 million more than first expected.

Treasurer Kevin Foley says the new facility should be finished by the middle of next year.

He says the cost has gone up because additional features have been added to the design.

"I'm told that a three-metre pool now is what FINA are looking for around the world, so we had to build a deeper pool," he said.

"We've had to look at putting in - and we haven't finalised this design detail - but we're looking at putting in a retractable floor so that we can actually lift the height of the pool."

'Long overdue'

South Australian Federal MP Andrew Southcott says the building of a new aquatic centre is long overdue.

Mr Southcott's electorate includes Marion and he says he hopes the State Government takeover of the plan is the end of delays to the project.

"Kevin Foley has said the facility should be finished by the middle of next year and I'm prepared to accept him at his word," he said.

"The project has been stalled for too long and I look forward to seeing it finished."

Craig Hobart from Swimming SA says the pool will be of international standard.

"By having a pool of this calibre this will allow us to get the Stephanie Rices, the Eamon Sullivans into Adelaide," he said.

But Adelaide city councillor Ann Moran says the North Adelaide pool should have been upgraded instead.

"It's absolutely scandalous that it's been put in this totally inappropriate place, the poor old taxpayers of South Australia are once again having to foot the bill for a big white elephant," she said.

The new facility will also include a health centre.

And Swimming SA has posted their (elated) response here along with what appears to be one of the first official renders:



There were others shown in the ABC1 report, but the images aren't freely available on the Internet yet (at least according to my search efforts).

[Omicron]

Is it just me, or does it seem that this is less an aquatic centre and more a 50m swimming pool surrounded by seats? It's all well and good to have new training and competition facilities, but I haven't heard head nor tail of the inclusion of more leisure-oriented facilities like lagoon-esque pools, shallow pools for children, or pools for water polo and volleyball. Hopefully the design is as far behind as it seems to be, so that adequate attention can be paid to the needs of recreational users, too.

On a side note, it would be a travesty if the existing Marion facility was closed. A outdoor swimming pool girt by green lawns and maintained in fine condition is such a rare and valuable resource in any community.

[Brando]

Totally (and very rarely) agree with Anne Mor#n on this issue. Why is this state government so hell bent on half baked ideas and mish mash...

Two perfect examples so far, the Marj and now this.
- Both facilities can be upgraded or expanded, cost may be similar or cheaper.
- Both facilties in or close to the CBD.

[Norman]

Here's the other render from the news report.

[rhino]

A outdoor swimming pool girt by green lawns and maintained in fine condition is such a rare and valuable resource in any community.

Hey! You said girt!. Nobody says girt, (except that we're girt by sea (and pissed by lunchtime)). Girt by green lawns - what a concept!

[pushbutton]

Is it just me, or does it seem that this is less an aquatic centre and more a 50m swimming pool surrounded by seats? It's all well and good to have new training and competition facilities, but I haven't heard head nor tail of the inclusion of more leisure-oriented facilities like lagoon-esque pools, shallow pools for children, or pools for water polo and volleyball. Hopefully the design is as far behind as it seems to be, so that adequate attention can be paid to the needs of recreational users, too.

On a side note, it would be a travesty if the existing Marion facility was closed. A outdoor swimming pool girt by green lawns and maintained in fine condition is such a rare and valuable resource in any community.

It's not just you!

That render looks about as boring as a swimming pool could get. In fact it looks like the sort of swimming pool most progressive cities around the world are bulldozing or have already bulldozed years ago! It certainly doesn't look as good as the Adelaide Aquatic Centre, and the Adelaide Aquatic centre could be a million times better for recreation users.

I've said it before, but the vast majority of potential users of any swimming facility (unless it is located within a major international sporting hub) are recreational users. That is, families, children and adults who just want to enjoy a relaxing and fun swim, and a bit of gentle exercise. They are not all professional swimmers!!!

So where's the wave pool, lagoons, spas, flumes, cafes, kids play areas etc etc?

And incidentally, "State Aquatic Centre"??? PLEASE tell me they're not actually going to call it that?

Sometimes it's just embarrassing to live in Adelaide!

[frank1]

calm down people. It is just like 'adelaide' to get in a whingy/complainy mood without all the facts. I find that embarrassing. Wait and see, i am sure more details will follow closer to when constuction starts.

[mattblack]

Is it just me, or does it seem that this is less an aquatic centre and more a 50m swimming pool surrounded by seats? It's all well and good to have new training and competition facilities, but I haven't heard head nor tail of the inclusion of more leisure-oriented facilities like lagoon-esque pools, shallow pools for children, or pools for water polo and volleyball. Hopefully the design is as far behind as it seems to be, so that adequate attention can be paid to the needs of recreational users, too.

On a side note, it would be a travesty if the existing Marion facility was closed. A outdoor swimming pool girt by green lawns and maintained in fine condition is such a rare and valuable resource in any community.

It's not just you!

That render looks about as boring as a swimming pool could get. In fact it looks like the sort of swimming pool most progressive cities around the world are bulldozing or have already bulldozed years ago! It certainly doesn't look as good as the Adelaide Aquatic Centre, and the Adelaide Aquatic centre could be a million times better for recreation users.

I've said it before, but the vast majority of potential users of any swimming facility (unless it is located within a major international sporting hub) are recreational users. That is, families, children and adults who just want to enjoy a relaxing and fun swim, and a bit of gentle exercise. They are not all professional swimmers!!!

So where's the wave pool, lagoons, spas, flumes, cafes, kids play areas etc etc?

And incidentally, "State Aquatic Centre"??? PLEASE tell me they're not actually going to call it that?

Sometimes it's just embarrassing to live in Adelaide!

I think you need higher soap boxes to stand on.

[pushbutton]

Would it make a difference?

[Wayno]

so is this still ONH? and should it be $80m

[crawf]

Not the best artist impressions, apparently this thing will hold 4500 spectators

They include:

*
Increasing the depth of the of the main swimming pool to three metres;
*
Increasing the seating capacity to 4,500; and
*
Installation of a depth adjustable pool floor for leisure water/learn to swim activities.

http://www.ministers.sa.gov.au/news.php?id=4329

Sounds like its going to have more than one pool

[Will]

Maybe I'm confused but isn't the sole purpose of this building to provide a world class environment for our swimmers to train but also a place to hold elite competitions?

The more recreational aspects will remain at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre, which i understand will receive a multi-million dollar facelift once the new facility opens.

And as for the name, can you blame the state government for not giving it a more unique name after the hysteria unleashed by the naming of the Marj?

[rogue]

Maybe it could be called the Howard Florey Pool

[Omicron]

Is it just me, or does it seem that this is less an aquatic centre and more a 50m swimming pool surrounded by seats? It's all well and good to have new training and competition facilities, but I haven't heard head nor tail of the inclusion of more leisure-oriented facilities like lagoon-esque pools, shallow pools for children, or pools for water polo and volleyball. Hopefully the design is as far behind as it seems to be, so that adequate attention can be paid to the needs of recreational users, too.

On a side note, it would be a travesty if the existing Marion facility was closed. A outdoor swimming pool girt by green lawns and maintained in fine condition is such a rare and valuable resource in any community.

It's not just you!

That render looks about as boring as a swimming pool could get. In fact it looks like the sort of swimming pool most progressive cities around the world are bulldozing or have already bulldozed years ago! It certainly doesn't look as good as the Adelaide Aquatic Centre, and the Adelaide Aquatic centre could be a million times better for recreation users.

I've said it before, but the vast majority of potential users of any swimming facility (unless it is located within a major international sporting hub) are recreational users. That is, families, children and adults who just want to enjoy a relaxing and fun swim, and a bit of gentle exercise. They are not all professional swimmers!!!

So where's the wave pool, lagoons, spas, flumes, cafes, kids play areas etc etc?

And incidentally, "State Aquatic Centre"??? PLEASE tell me they're not actually going to call it that?

Sometimes it's just embarrassing to live in Adelaide!

I think you need higher soap boxes to stand on.

Ooh, yes please.

[crawf]

From the Swimming SA website

With an international standard (FINA) facility available in South Australia, SwimmingSA has announced that it will be hosting the 2011 Australian Age Championships at the Marion venue. Further to this it will be bidding to host the 2012 Telstra Australian Swimming Championships that will double as the London Olympic Trials, bringing the nation’s and world’s best athletes to South Australia.