Adelaide Aquatic Centre (Kauwingka)

The new Adelaide Aquatic Centre represents one of South Australia’s most significant community recreation investments, delivering a world-class aquatic, health, and wellness facility designed to serve generations of South Australians.
Located within Pardipardinyilla / Denise Norton Park in Adelaide’s northern Park Lands, the facility was funded and delivered by the South Australian Government and is operated by YMCA Aquatic. Replacing the original aquatic centre, the redevelopment provides a contemporary destination that caters to competitive swimming, recreation, rehabilitation, fitness, and community wellbeing.

Project Brief

Designed by Warren and Mahoney and JPE Design Studio, and delivered by Sarah Constructions, the centre features a 50-metre indoor competition pool, a 25-metre outdoor pool, dedicated learn-to-swim and warm water rehabilitation pools, leisure and splash play areas, waterslides, wellness facilities including a sauna and steam room, and significantly expanded gym and fitness spaces. Inclusive amenities and changerooms were a key component of the project, ensuring the facility is welcoming and accessible for all users.

Key Challenges

As a major public aquatic facility, the project required amenity systems capable of performing within one of the most demanding environments for building materials. Changerooms and wet areas needed to withstand constant exposure to moisture, heavy daily usage, and rigorous cleaning regimes while maintaining long-term durability and appearance.
Accessibility and inclusivity were also central to the project, requiring compliant ambulant facilities and user-friendly amenity spaces that could comfortably accommodate people of all ages and abilities.
In addition, the project demanded a high-quality finish that aligned with the contemporary architectural vision of the new centre while providing practical, low-maintenance solutions suited to a high-traffic public environment.

Duracube Solution

To meet these rigorous requirements, DuraCube supplied and installed its Floor Mounted Ceiling Fixed (FCF) Partitioning System throughout the aquatic centre’s changerooms and amenity facilities. Engineered for maximum strength and structural continuity, the FCF system delivers the stability and streamlined appearance necessary for premier high-traffic public recreation venues.

All partitioning systems were manufactured from durable, impact-resistant DuraSafe 13mm compact laminate, specified in DuraSafe 5333 Southern Pine to bring a warm, natural timber aesthetic to the facility while delivering exceptional moisture resistance and long-term performance in demanding wet-area environments. To further enhance user comfort and accessibility, the comprehensive fit-out featured matching Southern Pine compact laminate shower seats, providing hygienic, heavy-duty support solutions while maintaining strict visual consistency across the entire amenities layout.

To ensure strict compliance with accessibility guidelines, a strategic combination of standard and ambulant cubicles was integrated throughout the facility, featuring both inward and outward swinging configurations. These systems were equipped with a full suite of premium Satin Chrome Viva hardware, including lift-off hinges, coat hooks, door bumpers, and vacant/engaged indicators, alongside compliant D-handles to support optimal safety, ease of use, and universal access aligned with current Australian standards.

By pairing heavy-duty engineering with a cohesive, contemporary aesthetic, DuraCube successfully delivered a future-proofed, highly resilient amenity solution tailored to support the long-term recreation, rehabilitation, and community wellbeing needs of the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre.