![Image1\](http://174.121.2.141/~statew/images/banners-AdelaideAquatic/banner_adelaide_aquatic_01.jpg "Nivo-Szaki Slider\")
- The Advertiser, October 25 2011, by Katrina Stokes
- Adelaide swimmers now have the best of both worlds and can choose from two major aquatic centres.
The renovated Adelaide Aquatic Centre opened its doors yesterday, unveiling a light, bright and airy space.
The $6million upgrade features a multi-coloured glass roof and a fitness centre, including $250,000 of gym equipment.
The pools have been drained, re-tiled in parts and refilled.
- The Result
- The Redbacks were among the first through the doors, using the facility for their recovery session yesterday following their Ryobi Cup clash on Sunday night.
"It's great for us to be able to use the Aquatic Centre again," said Redbacks captain Michael Klinger.
"Being so close to Adelaide Oval, it's really convenient to be able to come back and do the rest of our recovery and training."
During the upgrade, which began in March this year, swim schools and squads moved permanently from the North Adelaide facility to the $100 million SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre at Oaklands Park.
Despite this, Swimming SA general manager Craig Hobart said the city swimming facility would still play an integral role in supporting the state's up-and-coming swimmers in the metropolitan area.
"Swimming is more than just standing behind the blocks and diving in ... there is a whole range the sport takes in, that includes learning to swim, sport and recreation," Mr Hobart said.
The 40-year-old centre also has upgraded its Swim School, with more than 1500 children enrolled and a further 500 places still available.
Adelaide City councillor Susan Slearihan said the state would "absolutely" be able to support two swimming centres.
"The elite swimmers have gone to Marion, but there are still lots of local lap swimmers, schools and clubs who will continue to use the centre," she said.
"We're looking to turn the centre into a regional, community, leisure and fitness centre," Ms Clearihan said.
