Images: Aquatic Centre Aldinga Bay Action Group
There’s big news for Aldinga locals who have been pushing for their own aquatic centre, as council gives the green light to explore rezoning land towards a future aquatic facility.
The motion, put forward by Tracey Atkinson with the Aquatic Centre Aldinga Bay Action Group, asks the City of Onkaparinga to write to Renewal SA about considering an area of land for the facility. The possible landsite is bordered by Port Road, Bowering Hill Road and Quinliven Road.
Atkinson said if the land can’t be set aside there is nowhere else suitable for the future aquatic centre.
“We hope the City of Onkaparinga, will study the report recommendations, and then take the next step and plan aquatic facilities for the future. The aim of our campaign is to have land set aside for a facility for all ages and abilities.”
The plan involves rezoning the recommended site for recreational use and using it for potential future developments of an aquatic centre. The landsite will not only have room for an aquatic centre but an opportunity to establish a large, green community outdoor park and recreation space.
“This coincides with the wishes of the community, who want the land to be retained for the community, and the integrity of the Port Road heritage, the Arts Ecovillage area and the Character Preservation District interface to be respected.”
For nearly five years the Aquatic Centre Aldinga Bay Action Group have been calling for a place for local to swim safely and get in their daily fitness close to home.
In 2022 the group was allocated a grant of $150,000 for a planning study, thanks to the state government. The results of the survey, conducted within the Onkaparinga community, were revealed earlier this year with more than 800 respondents. The most popular component in the survey was the idea of a 25-metre pool, for laps and water-based fitness activities.
“Community support for the proposal is strong, with 97 percent backing the development of a new aquatic centre in the Aldinga Bay area,” Atkinson cited from the study.
The study also revealed that 30 percent of respondents would visit the centre to participate in swim laps, while 21 percent cited water-based fitness activities as their main reason for attending. Concept images for the project were created by architects on the study by Design Inc, which show a solar-panelled roof covering an outdoor pool within the proposed site.
The residents of Aldinga don’t just want a place to cool off, they need a facility to help make vital services available, such as learn-to-swim programs, hydrotherapy and fitness classes.
Aquatic Centre Aldinga Bay Action Group
For more information, click here.
More News
