A wave of excitement is sweeping across South Australia as lucky Adelaide Aquatic Centre ballot winners get set to dive in early at the new world class facility.
The ballot to be among the first to make a splash at the state-of-the-art centre drew an overwhelming response, with close to 10,300 registrations received over four days.
There were 500 entries received within the first 10 minutes of the ballot opening early last week, with registrations rising by many thousands each day, reflecting the buzz surrounding the new centre.
Households across the state as far out as Roxby Downs and William Creek on the Oodnadatta Track put their name in the draw.
This incredible response demonstrates the community excitement and expectation for the Malinauskas Labor Government's new Adelaide Aquatic Centre which was consistently opposed by the Liberal Opposition and their candidate for Adelaide Julian Amato.
Successful ballot entrants have today been notified that they will have a unique opportunity to be among the first to experience the $135 million centre next Monday, 26 January before it opens to the public.
Those successful in the ballot have been notified via SMS and email and provided with a unique link to the centre operator YMCA Aquatic booking system.
This will allow them to purchase tickets to enjoy a three-hour sneak peek of the brand-new facility, with 500 spots up for grabs in each of three special preview sessions on 26 January, starting at 10am, 2pm and 6pm.
This first day of fun will provide approximately 1500 South Australians exclusive access inside the new facility, ahead of regular operations starting Tuesday, 27 January.
From twisty rides on the waterslides, to fun in the splash zones, pools, relaxation areas, and group fitness and aquatic classes, the facility is set to delight South Australians for generations to come.
More than 2000 people are already enrolled in learn-to-swim and squad classes while 1700 health and wellness memberships have already been snapped up since memberships for the new centre opened in November last year.
An accessible space for everyone, the centre has a focus on the health and wellbeing of people of all ages and diverse abilities, ensuring community connection and participation.
Tickets for usual operations will be available for purchase from Saturday, 24 January via the YMCA Aquatic website.
As put by Emily Bourke
With just one week to go until we open the doors, the excitement around this centre continues to grow with more than 10,000 ballot entries.
The way South Australians have embraced this ballot shows how passionate the community is about our brand-new Adelaide Aquatic Centre.
It's astonishing this project was opposed by the Liberal opposition and their candidate for Adelaide.
We cannot wait to welcome the community inside, starting with the lucky ballot winners who will be a part of history on the first day of fun.
I encourage everyone to visit this magnificent facility when regular operations start next Tuesday, 27 January.
As put by Lucy Hood
As someone who has been out listening to my community, I'm not at all surprised by the huge interest in this ballot.
We've all been eagerly looking forward to this moment, which for our lucky ballot winners is now just seven short sleeps away.
This is what happens when a united government commits itself to a task, no matter how large or small, and delivers for its community.
