State Aquatic and Leisure Centre now open

The nation’s newest international standard Aquatic Centre at Marion has been officially opened. It boasts a
50-metre competition swimming pool and a 55-metre diving and water polo pool alongside 1000 square metres of leisure and recreational water.

This facility exceeds the strict international competition standards of the world aquatics governing body FINA.  It will provide the facilities to nurture future swimming and diving stars as well as a place for the community to learn to swim, get fit and enjoy a fabulous centre.

At the new centre aquatic athletes have access to state-of-the-art training equipment, including dry land training facilities such as spring boards, harnesses, trampolines, strength and conditioning apparatus, a gymnasium, spa, sauna and steam room. 

There is purpose designed seating for 4,500 spectators, providing the best possible viewing experience for competition swimming, diving and water polo.

The centre has already secured a number of national and international events including:

• 2011 Australian Short Course Swimming Championships
• 2012 World Life Saving Championships
• 2012 World Junior Diving Championships.

The first event to be held at the centre will be the Australian Age Swimming Championships from 18 - 23 April 2011, with the venue opening for the general public in the following week.

The new centre has around 1000 square metres of leisure and recreational water including a six lane 25 metre community program pool with disabled access, a dedicated learn to swim pool, play equipment, toddler pool and two spectacular new water slides.

With a location adjacent to the Oaklands Park rail and bus terminus and with a 560 space purpose-built car park on the precinct site, the centre is easily accessible.

YMCA has been appointed to operate the centre and is currently recruiting for a range of management and service roles including facilities and functions managers, aquatics education and lifeguards providing for up to 250 new local jobs.

Fast facts

• Candetti Constructions Pty Ltd began construction works in October 2009.
• The total area of the Domain site is approximately 26 400 square metres.
• The State Aquatic Centre building has a site area of approximately 10 000 square metres and is 15 metres high.
• The combined floor space of the GP Plus and Community Mental Health building is about 7 500 square metres over 4 levels.
• The new facilities on the Domain site are accessible to people with a disability
• Over 560 car parks are available underground, on ground-level and in the multi-deck car park. Car parking is available for people with a disability.
• The pools have been filled only once (instead of twice for testing) due to the use of innovative pool technology

Car parking

Permanent arrangements

Over 560 on site car parks comprising a combination of on-ground, underground and multi level parks are available. This takes into account the number of parks required and allows for the availability of good access to public transport facilities.

The parking solution allows for normal daily use and considers the usage pattern for State Aquatic Centre and GP Plus patrons as well as users of the adjacent Marion Cultural Centre and Centrelink.

For major events a car parking management plan will be developed and is dependant on the specific event.  It is likely buses will be used to shuttle spectators to the State Aquatic Centre from nearby satellite sites.

Public transport

The Marion Domain site is easily accessible via bus and train. For details on how to get there from your suburb log on to www.adelaidemetro.com.au.

Environmental sustainability

The Marion Domain development has included ecologically sustainable design initiatives to reduce water and energy consumption across the site.  These initiatives include:

• stormwater harvesting for reuse in toilet amenities
• solar panels for heating hot water
• a high efficiency pool water filtration system, which will significantly reduce total water consumption
• building orientation to reduce the requirement for air conditioning
• Building Management System (BMS) with direct digital controllers (DDC) to control air conditioning and ventilation equipment

In addition, the GP Plus Health Care Centre has been designed to achieve a 5 Star Green Star Office design rating through energy efficiency, water efficiency and material recycling.

Further information

For further information about the Marion Domain site development please download:

• Site Plan
• Project Brochure (October 2010)
• Candetti Site News, Issue 2 (September 2010)
• City of Marion newsletter, City Limits (Autumn 2010), page 9
• Candetti Site News, Issue 1 (April 2010)
• News Release, Preferred operator for new SA aquatic and leisure centre (March 2011)