The waterslides at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre have reopened ahead of the spring school holidays, with the attraction expected to draw more than a thousand visitors during the October break.
The 16.5-metre-high slide tower has undergone major upgrades, including new stairs, lighting, ventilation, structural improvements and a complete re-cladding. Closed for five years, the tower has been restored as part of a $23.5 million renewal of the entire site delivered by the Malinauskas Government.
Alongside the waterslides, the multi-million-dollar investment covers upgrades to five pools, the dive tower, changerooms and steam and sauna rooms. Further work will take place next year on the competition and learn-to-swim pools to increase community access during summer.
The upgraded tower includes two slides, Space Hole at 140 metres long and Aqua Tube at 165 metres. Certified under SafeWork SA regulations, the slides are now open on weekends, with weekday sessions to be added as the weather warms.
To ensure safe participation, YMCA Aquatic has introduced a competency test requiring users to complete a 25-metre swim assessed by lifeguards. The initiative aligns with the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 and the upcoming National Water Safety Summit 2025, aiming to improve water skills and confidence among children.
South Australian firm Mossop Construction delivered the project.
Assistant Minister for Recreation and Sport Emily Bourke said: “Families have been eagerly awaiting the return of the slides and our Government was determined to have them back open—right in time for the school holidays. We want young South Australians to get active and this upgrade is a great excuse for kids, even big ones, to have fun in an environment where vital water safety skills are built.”
Assistant Minister for Junior Sport Participation Rhiannon Pearce added: “With school holidays right around the corner, families are getting ready to get back in the pool at their local aquatic centres. And now is the perfect time, thanks to the reopening of the SAALC waterslides. Our government is committed to getting kids off screens and active in their communities, and what better way than making a splash than at the newly upgraded slides.”
Local Member for Gibson Sarah Andrews said the project had been widely anticipated. “The SAALC is already a fantastic place for families to spend active time together. Getting the water slides up and running is just going to add to their experience. As the local member I am often asked if and when this day would come, so I am delighted to now be able to say they are open.”
YMCA Aquatic General Manager Adam Luscombe said the reopening would bring families back to one of the centre’s most popular attractions. “This will be a landmark summer for South Australians, with families flocking back to the slides and Wibit adventure zone. The pool is where people come together, share the fun, and create memories that last. We can’t wait to see the young and the young at heart enjoy the return of the slides at SAALC.”
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