How the Salisbury Aquatic Centre redevelopment turned a tired facility into a thriving community hub.

For many Australians, the local pool is more than a place to swim. It’s where summers are spent, confidence is built, and communities come together.

In Salisbury, that legacy was at risk.

The original aquatic centre, built in the 1960s, had reached the end of its life. It no longer met modern expectations for accessibility, sustainability, or the diverse needs of a growing community. But instead of simply replacing it, the City of Salisbury saw an opportunity to do something more ambitious.

The result is the Salisbury Aquatic Centre Redevelopment - a $30 million transformation that has reimagined the site as a vibrant, inclusive and future-focused community precinct, now recognised with the 2025 Excellence in Infrastructure Delivery Award.

Reimagining what community infrastructure can be

The project began with a simple question: how do we create a space that truly serves everyone?

What followed was a carefully considered redevelopment shaped by more than 460 pieces of community feedback, ensuring the final design reflected the needs, expectations and aspirations of local residents.

Rather than treating the centre as a single-purpose facility, the team redefined it as a year-round health and wellbeing hub. Indoor and outdoor spaces were integrated to support everything from lap swimming and water play to rehabilitation, fitness and social connection.

Facilities now include hydrotherapy and warm water pools, water slides, a gym, and accessible change rooms; creating a space where children, families, older residents, and people of all abilities can participate side by side.

Designed for inclusion, built for the future

At the heart of the redevelopment is a strong commitment to accessibility.

Every detail of the centre has been designed to meet modern accessibility standards, ensuring that people of all abilities can move through and enjoy the space with ease. For many in the community, this has transformed the way they engage with aquatic and health programs.

Equally significant is the centre’s environmental performance.

Operating on solar-powered, all-electric systems, the facility represents a major step forward in sustainable infrastructure. Energy-efficient technologies and water-saving measures have reduced environmental impact while delivering long-term cost efficiencies, proving that sustainability and financial responsibility can go hand in hand.

It’s a powerful example of how infrastructure can be designed not just for today, but for future generations.

Moments that matter

While the scale of the redevelopment is impressive, it’s the everyday moments that define its success.

Children racing through the new water play areas for the first time.

Older residents building strength and confidence through hydrotherapy programs.
Families returning week after week, knowing the space is welcoming, safe and accessible.

“These are the moments that remind us why projects like this matter,” the team reflects.

What was once a deteriorating facility is now a thriving community hub - a place people feel proud to visit, share and call their own.

A collective effort

Delivering a project of this scale required more than strong planning - it required genuine collaboration.

Council teams worked closely with engineers, architects, contractors and consultants, while community members played a critical role in shaping the final outcome through consultation and engagement.

This shared approach ensured the redevelopment wasn’t just technically successful but deeply connected to the community it serves.

A win for the whole community

For the City of Salisbury, receiving the Excellence in Infrastructure Delivery Award is recognition of the hard work, dedication and partnership behind the project.

For the community, it’s something more personal.

It’s a sign that their voices were heard, that their needs were prioritised, and that local government can deliver spaces that genuinely improve everyday life.

What’s next?

The redevelopment has laid the foundation for a new chapter.

With expanded parking, a rider safety park, and growing partnerships with schools, sporting groups and community organisations, the centre continues to evolve as a hub for health, recreation and connection.

More programs, more events, and more opportunities are already on the horizon.

And perhaps most importantly, the success of the project is shaping how Salisbury approaches future infrastructure - demonstrating that when councils invest in inclusive design, sustainability, and community-led thinking, the results can be transformative.

Because at its heart, this isn’t just about a pool.

It’s about creating a place where a community can gather, grow, and thrive… together.

Thank you to our partner URPS for sponsoring the Excellence in Infrastructure Delivery Award.

GIF: Features a variety of images from the Salisbury Aquatic Centre Redevelopment, and those representing the project at the 2025 LG Professionals SA Leadership Excellence Awards Gala Dinner.