Aquadome

The redeveloped The first stage of the Elizabeth Swimming Centre was built by the Salisbury Council before severance was granted and Elizabeth was still under the jurisdiction of the Salisbury Council. As this was the major swimming centre in the area it was then given the name of Bethbury Sports Centre, taking in part of both Elizabeth and Salisbury names. The Centre was opened on 20th November 1960, by Mr AM Ramsey, B. Ec., CBE. In keeping with the garden city concept the surround of the Centre were landscaped, and areas around the Olympic size pool were also laid with lawn, giving the swimmers a soft, cool spot to relax out of the water. The impressive layout of the pools caters for toddlers and beginners, a large Olympic size swimming pool and a diving pool, with spectator stands and sun bathing platforms. Swimming, diving, and water polo clubs were formed, and members were entered in State and National competitions. Mr Fred Jones, an Elizabeth member of the Salisbury District Council, became involved in the formation of the Club and was elected President, a position he held for many years until his death in 1979. Mr Jones continued on to be a Councillor when the Elizabeth Town Council was formed after severance. He was a busy man, but never too busy to turn his time to working in the Club. Fred Jones will be remembered by the Swimming Club as the father of the Club, taking interest in the youngsters of the Club, as he did his own when they were swimming. When the Swimming Club built their club rooms within the compound of the Swimming Centre, they named the building the “JF Jones Clubrooms”, honouring the man who nurtured the club from its inception. The Swimming Centre is an important adjunct to Elizabeth as there is not easy access to a good swimming beach. With the hot Australian summers, swimming is a good relaxing sport and pastime. Lessons in swimming are planned in the curriculum in all South Australian schools with swimming facilities nearby. During the summer, buses arrive one after another from the various schools taking part in the Learn to Swim Campaign. Nearby school children walk or march in long snake-like files with their towels wound around their heads, to and from the pool for this most looked forward to lesson. The pool was redeveloped in 1986. After a massive budget blowout, industrial disputes and the original estimate of the $2 million development increasing to $5 million, it was opened the following year. The centre was open to the public on Monday 22 June, 1987. The waterslides (112 and 56 metres) were opened on 19th August 1987. The Aquadome was officially opened on October 4th by Elizabeth Alderman, Don Paginton with an attendance of 4000 visitors. At that time the cost of the centre was $2 per day for adults and $1 for children. The water slide in summer cost $3 per hour. Aquadome was officially opened on July 18 2009 after undergoing a $15.8m refurbishment. The Aquadome's redevelopment was partially funded by the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and the State Office for Recreation and Sport.

It provides a variety of recreation and leisure activities and includes an upgraded 50m pool, a 25m and leisure pool with beach entry and water features, new 110m waterslide, spa, steam room, gymnasium, group fitness room, crèche and café. 

The Aquadome was designed as a key recreational facility within the City of Playford with the goal to assist in the health and wellbeing of the community through greater participation in physical activity. Since its redevelopment the Aquadome has seen a dramatic increase in participation at the facility including increased family usage (with over 30% of members on a family membership) and a 50% increase in senior programs.

The Aquadome is owned by the City of Playford and is managed under a long-term contract by the YMCA South Australia.