Sensational-Adelaide.com

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.

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

Omicron wrote: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.

pushbutton wrote:

Omicron wrote: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!

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.

mattblack wrote:

pushbutton wrote:

Omicron wrote: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.

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.