On Monday 26 January, as the city hit 44°C, the doors of the new $135 million Adelaide Aquatic Centre opened for the first time and locals returned to a pool that’s been missing from the city since the old Aquatic Centre closed in July 2024.
The first look belonged to 1,500 ballot winners, drawn from more than 10,000 registrations. By Tuesday, when temperatures climbed again into the 40s, the centre was open to everyone, and YMCA Aquatic management took over.
Tuesday’s open day had the feel of a major event with an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people streamed through the doors, pushing the centre to capacity by lunchtime. It was all hands-on deck. Y staff were on pool concourse, at entry points and in the queue, helping move families through safely and calmly. Over 5,000 bottles of water were handed out and spirits kept up with free icy poles as the line inched forward.
Inside, it quickly showed why the anticipation had been so high. The layout is built for movement, with wide walkways and distinct zones that let different users find their own pace, from kids hunting the splash areas to lap swimmers in the indoor and outdoor pools. The four waterslides were an instant hit across ages.
Early feedback has highlighted how accessible the centre is. Disability advocate and Push Mobility Founder and Chair Shane Hryhorec, who uses a wheelchair, visited this week and rated it among the best aquatic facilities he has experienced. He pointed to practical features such as accessible parking, a lowered reception counter, multiple Changing Places facilities, and pool entry options including ramp and hoist access.
Demand was already locked in before the doors opened, with more than 2,000 learn-to-swim and squad enrolments and 1,700 health and wellness memberships taken up. More than 100 sporting, community and health groups are also set to return after being accommodated across the wider network during construction.
The official opening was headed by Premier Peter Malinauskas, alongside ministerial colleagues Emily Bourke, Rhiannon Pearce and Lucy Hood, signalling how important returning this project to the Park Lands was for Adelaide.
The team pulled this launch off, alongside managing the popular SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre at Oaklands Park which ran as normal. We now operate both venues, with reciprocal gym and swim access in place. Together, this marks an exciting new chapter for aquatic and leisure services in Adelaide.
