Project update December 2024

Council approves matched funding

On 2 December 2024, the Hon Catherine King MP and the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP announced that Council was successful in our application for $5.4 million grant funding from the Federal Government.

At the 10 December 2024 Council meeting, matching funding of $5.4 million was approved, enabling the $10.8 million refurbishment project to proceed.

With funding now confirmed we are working towards temporary closure of the aquatic centre from July 2025, to allow these significant upgrades to be carried out. We anticipate the centre will be closed for up to 12 months.

The refurbishment will include extensive works that unfortunately cannot be completed while the facility remains open. For much of the refurbishment, the pools will need to be drained to allow work on the pool liner and to eliminate hazards to workers associated with the large body of water.

These upgrades are essential to ensure the facility continues to meet the needs of our community for years to come.

We understand that this temporary closure will affect many users, and we are committed to keeping stakeholders informed throughout the planning and construction phases, providing regular updates.

You can read more about the funding announcement and project in the media release or at Onkaparinga Now.

Background

This much-loved facility has served the community well over the past 30 years, welcoming up to 270,000 visits annually from across our city. As such, the aquatic centre is ageing and requires some significant work.

The council is currently planning for upgrades to the roof, pool liner, and filtration systems, as well as the addition of solar panels and improved accessible features.