Images provided by Mount Barker District Council.
Mount Barker’s long-awaited $51.8 million Summit Aquatic and Leisure Centre is nearing completion and preparing to open its doors to the public this August. Intended for the district’s rapidly growing population, this new state-of-the-art indoor facility is a huge milestone in Mount Barker’s transformation into one of South Australia’s most liveable regions.
The new centre comes as a replacement for the Mount Barker Mountain Pool, which served the community for seven decades until it was decommissioned earlier this year. The new Summit Aquatic and Leisure Centre will be a future-proof, all-weather venue that offers something for everyone.
The project began back in 2015, when Mount Barker District Council began seeking community input and expert advice to make sure the design reflected local needs and aspirations.
“We received a lot of feedback from residents when we undertook broad community engagement on the design in 2019. We also established a Community Reference Group comprising local residents and representatives from key user groups, so Council maintained a sharp focus on achieving outcomes that would benefit the community,” shared a spokesperson from the Mount Barker District Council.
Construction kicked off in May 2022 and, thanks to favourable weather conditions, wrapped up ahead of schedule. The centre has been delivered through a tri-government partnership, with Council securing $22.3 million in funding from both the Government of South Australia and the Australian Government.
The new centre is designed by national architecture firm DesignInc and constructed by award-winning Kennett Builders. The facility is managed by Belgravia Leisure, with the Council retaining ownership.
Summit Aquatic and Leisure is packed with features, which have been designed for the community to benefit from immediately. The first stage of the centre includes a 25-metre, 10-lane competition/lap pool, a dedicated learn-to-swim pool, a shallow-entry children’s pool with water play features, a warm water therapy pool, a fully equipped gym and fitness rooms, a crèche and community meeting rooms, an onsite cafe, and toilets and change room facilities.
The entire centre has been built to comply with Australian Standards, the National Construction Code, Disability Discrimination Act, and industry best practice. Sustainability has also been a major focus of the project, with solar panels, high-performance insulation, water recycling systems, and energy-efficient heating and cooling all included in the build.
Future plans for the centre include an outdoor 50-metre lap pool, splash pad, waterslides, and indoor sports courts.
“Summit Aquatic and Leisure will open in August, and we’ll be making some big announcements very soon,” said the council spokesperson. “Mount Barker district residents have waited a long time for this facility to open, and it’s heartening to see community excitement build as we count down to opening. Summit Aquatic and Leisure will be a major drawcard of Mount Barker’s Summit Precinct, which is shaping up to become a leading regional hub for recreation, leisure, sport and entertainment.”
Residents are encouraged to get involved once the centre opens next month.
Summit Aquatic and Leisure Centre
When: Opening this August
Where: 391 Bald Hills Road, Mount Barker
For more information, click here.
For more on the broader vision, click here.
