SOUTH AUSTRALIAN AQUATIC AND LEISURE CENTRE

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Minister Assisting the Premier with South Australia's Strategic Plan) (14:11): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.R. KENYON: I am pleased to announce today that following a public tender process the state government has selected the YMCA as the preferred operator of the new South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Centre at Marion. The YMCA is well suited to operate this important addition to the South Australian sporting landscape.

The not-for-profit organisation already has considerable experience as an operator of aquatic and community facilities across the nation. As a not-for-profit entity, the YMCA's values align well with the state government's objectives for the centre to be a facility that is used by a broad cross-section of the South Australian community. As operators, the YMCA will ensure that the centre meets the needs of people of all ages, from families with young children learning to swim right through to elite athletes in training and competition.

The selection of the YMCA to operate and maintain the South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Centre marks the final step in a long journey to bring this project to fruition—and I apologise for not wearing my Indian outfit that I have at home. As a government, we are delighted to be delivering to the people of this state a world-class destination for all South Australians to play, train and perform in.

The SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre will be Australia's premier aquatic and leisure facility, supporting and preserving the future of the aquatic sports of swimming, diving and water polo at the elite level in a FINA-compliant, world-class facility.

The increase in the quality of the training and competition environment for our athletes, including our SASI swimmers and divers, will help keep our South Australian talent here in South Australia. The development will offer benefits to not only elite sport but also the wider community.

As well as the main 50-metre competition pool and the diving and water polo pool, the design has ensured that the centre includes about 1,000 square metres of leisure and recreational water, including a 25-metre community program pool, a dedicated learn-to-swim pool and community leisure water with a wet deck, play equipment and toddler pool. This space ensures that all members of the community will be able to enjoy the new centre.

The new facility also means that South Australia is now in an extremely strong position to bid for national and international swimming, diving and water polo events. Already the centre has resulted in South Australia securing a number of national and international events, including the 2011 Australian Short Course Swimming Championships, the 2012 World Lifesaving Championships and the 2012 World Junior Diving Championships.

South Australian sports fans will have their first opportunity to see an event with Australia's future swimming stars competing at the Australian Age Swimming Championships from 18 to 23 April. The venue will be open to the public in the week following this event, and I am sure we are all looking forward to that day. The state government will now work closely with the YMCA to ensure the new centre delivers on its potential to be one of the jewels in our sporting crown.