City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council has unveiled a new chapter for one of the City’s most cherished assets, the Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre.
Following a transformative redevelopment, the facility has been reimagined from a traditional local pool into a premier, state-of-the-art aquatic and recreational destination with regional appeal, the Council said in a statement.
With the Centre’s official opening scheduled for Saturday 10 October, the Council has confirmed the appointment of BlueFit as Centre Manager and launched the centre’s new brand identity that it says will carry it into the future as a premier community facility.
Mayor, Robert Bria says construction is nearing completion with the handover from the builder, Badge, to the Council to occur in mid-August 2026, ahead of an intense six-week program to prepare the Centre for operations.
“The Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre redevelopment represents one of the Council’s most significant investments in community recreation and well-being,” says Mayor Bria.
“We have reimagined this facility to ensure it remains a contemporary and leading destination for our diverse community for decades to come.
“I am proud of the legacy that both the current and previous Councils will leave through this facility; one that will serve our community for generations.”
The Mayor said the Centre’s bold new visual identity reflects the deep consideration given to the facility’s striking architectural design.
The contemporary logo features a bespoke illustrated graphic device inspired by the unique timber grid ceiling and the precise architectural angles found throughout the new building.
While firmly modern, the brand also pays tribute to the Centre’s rich history. The brand identity adopts a colour palette of muted, energetic hues in a nod to mid-century design – a deliberate tribute to the era of the original 1968 facility.
Mayor Bria says the Council is excited to be working with BlueFit as it prepares to welcome the community back to the Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre.
“This partnership ensures that while we provide state-of-the-art amenities – from our Olympic-sized outdoor pool and indoor lap pool to the new waterslides and children’s splash play – we are also delivering high-quality programs and activities, and local employment opportunities that reflect the social fabric of our City,” he said.
“BlueFit comes to the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters with extensive experience and a distinct community focus, which the Council is confident will underpin the success of the Centre.”
The appointment also brings a significant recruitment drive to the region, creating local employment opportunities across aquatic operations, customer service and leadership roles.
BlueFit CEO, Todd McHardy says it is a privilege to operate not only the Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre but also Adelaide’s oldest (and most loved) swimming pool in Norwood.
“We’re excited about the partnership with the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters to launch this wonderful new facility. Work is now underway to recruit a new local team in readiness for the launch and the busy summer period,” he said.
“BlueFit’s goal is to ‘Inspire Community Activity’ which is made easier when local governments make this level of investment in their sport and recreation infrastructure.”
The Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre’s grand return will be officially marked by a community celebration on Saturday, 10 October from 11am. This free day of entertainment and aquatic fun will allow residents to experience the new 50-metre Olympic-sized outdoor pool, the two waterslides descending from a 14-metre-tall waterslide tower and the children’s zero-depth waterplay area, in addition to the indoor facilities.
“Four years on from the closure of the old facility, we are excited to welcome the community to the new Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre and there’s no better way to do that than with a day of free celebrations, activities and entertainment,” says Mayor Bria.
