Legislative Council Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1) 55 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Adelaide Aquatic Centre Adelaide Aquatic Centre The Hon. T.T. NGO Legislative Council Adelaide Aquatic Centre The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:49): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Can the minister provide an update on the construction of the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre? The Hon. E.S. BOURKE Legislative Council Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister for Autism Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services Adelaide Aquatic Centre The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism) (14:49): I thank the member for his question— Members interjecting: The Hon. E.S. BOURKE Legislative Council Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister for Autism Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: The Hon. Tung Ngo; very, very honourable, actually—and for his interest in this topic, which will provide a brand-new state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Adelaide. As members may remember, the Premier and the member for Adelaide, now Minister Lucy Hood, announced that if elected a Labor government would build a brand-new aquatic centre to replace an old facility that was literally falling apart. We said we would deliver that before the next election, and today I am pleased to update the house and advise that the brand-new Adelaide Aquatic Centre will open to the public on 27 January next year. Construction started a little over two years ago, and we recently achieved a major milestone with the first pool, the learn-to-swim pool, filling with water. It took over two days, but it was an important pool to be starting with, considering the significance of the message it is sending: we want safer swimming facilities but also stronger swimmers in our community. The progress being made at the centre is a true testament to the Sarah construction team, and soon we will see the 10-lane 50-metre pool filled with water. This will take up to three days using a fire hydrant. There have been over 400,000 construction hours worked and over 1,500 full-time jobs supported during the construction phase. This includes one kilometre of underground plumbing, the lifting of 52 beams and columns—one that I believe is the longest in Australia at 37 metres. Finishing touches are being applied to the interior space and work is progressing on the outdoor aquatic space and landscape areas. The site of the former Adelaide Aquatic Centre will be returned to parklands, while construction of the new car park is also scheduled to be completed in time for the opening. Experienced operator YMCA Aquatic was announced as the operator for the centre, and I am advised that up to 300 jobs will be created, with staff who worked at the former Adelaide Aquatic Centre given the first opportunity to express interest in filling the roles. Recruitment for these positions continues. In a unique and popular move, membership of the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre also gives access to the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre, which gives two great facilities with one pass. South Australians can now jump online to sign up for the general pool and gym membership and enrol in the learn to swim classes. We cannot wait to see the doors open and welcome the public back to this incredible centre.