Think outside the box
by Shane Sody
The State Labor Government is being urged to consider a wide range of near-city sites for a new Aquatic Centre.
By thinking outside the box (i.e. outside your Park Lands) there's potential for a win-win with a new Aquatic Centre in the inner north, and full restoration of the current Park Lands site.
The State Government has promised to invest $82.4 million in a new Aquatic Centre. So far it has refused to consider any brownfields site. It is not thinking outside the box, and is purporting to consult only on these three sites within Denise Norton Park / Pardipardinyilla (Park 2).
Dozens of mature trees are at risk, at each one of these three locations.
But why not take a wider look around? There are plenty of near-city commercial sites that could be acquired by the State Government.
A range of potential near-city sites (marked in yellow) that the State Government could purchase for a new Aquatic Centre.
A location selected from one of these choices or some other equivalent brownfields site, could be purchased from its existing owner, then transformed into a new Aquatic Centre. This would allow a once-in-a-generation return of land to Adelaide’s world-unique Open Green Public Park Lands.
The old West End brewery site on Port Road, Thebarton
This motor auction site on Torrens Road at Brompton
One of many potential locations in the Hindmarsh Industrial estate, near the Entertainment Centre
One of several car yard sites on Main North Road at Medindie
Commercial land on the corner of South Road and Manton Street at Hindmarsh
The former E.S. Wigg envelope factory on Port Road at Thebarton
PAST AQUATIC MISTAKES
In 1854 the first Adelaide 'City Baths' were erected off King William Road in Tartanya Wama (Park 26).
The “City Baths” off King William Road in Park 26 as they looked in 1882 - Photo: (1882) State Library of SA
They were expanded or upgraded on the same site in the 1880's and again in 1940.
The “City Baths” off King William Road in Park 26 as they looked in 1941 - Photo: State Library of SA
Then, in 1969, the "City Baths” site was taken over by a brand new Festival Centre and more of your Open Green Public Park Lands in Denise Norton Park / Pardipardinyilla (Park 2) were taken away for a new swimming pool complex.
Swimming pools off Jeffcott Road in Park 2 as they looked after construction in 1969.
Sixteen years later, in 1985, the swimming pools were roofed and enclosed. Over time, large parts of the adjacent Open Green Public Park Lands were sacrificed for car parking.
The Aquatic Centre roof under construction in 1984
Of course, a swimming pool or aquatic centre is a valuable community resource. Such a public facility encourages health and fitness and a commitment to build a new one is warmly welcomed.
But a pay-to-enter swimming pool building is NOT a park. Although it might well be "public" it is neither "open" nor "green". There is no reason why Adelaide's world-unique green garland should be targeted, yet again, when there are plenty of alternative brownfield sites, such as those identified above, where a new Aquatic Centre might be located.
Premier, Peter Malinauskas has promised that the new SA Labor Government will build a new Aquatic Centre either on the same site as the existing one, or at "an adjacent site".
The newly-elected Member for Adelaide, Lucy Hood, with her two children, and Premier Peter Malinauskas with his daughter. Pic: ABC News: Candice Prosser
Both the Adelaide City Council and the State Government agree that the current Aquatic Centre has passed its useful life.
There is absolutely no reason why a new facility must repeat the mistakes of 1854 and 1969 and be located, once again, on your Park Lands.
Image: Shutterstock
Getting State funding for a new Aquatic Centre represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore lost Park Lands. It is an opportunity to learn from the mistakes of 1854 and 1969. It is an opportunity to value Adelaide's world-unique green garland for its own sake, and restore all of Denise Norton Park / Pardipardinyilla (Park 2) to Adelaide’s Open Green Public garland.
The State Government needs to think outside the box.