Swim centre celebrates half century with face lift

Port Augusta’s only swim centre receives a million-dollar upgrade for its 50th birthday.

Port Augusta City Council, South Australia, will upgrade the Ryan Mitchell Swim Centre after receiving $1,011,600 from the Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program (LGIPP).


The LGIPP will fund 57 shovel-ready projects under the Marshall Government’s $106.9 million stimulus program, which will unlock a further $118.5 million in matching local government investment and some Commonwealth funding.

Mayor, Brett Benbow, said, “We are more than happy with the allocated funding, the Ryan Mitchell Swim Centre, is the only swim centre in Port Augusta and it requires a significant upgrade to address its aging infrastructure.”

The 50 year old swim centre was ‘gifted’ to Council by the Electricity Trust of South Australia following the closure sale of the Augusta Power Stations in the 1980’s.

“Much of the infrastructure has reached or past the end of its operational life and failure to upgrade and replace could have resulted in closure of the centre. 

“Council will be dollar matching the funding to complete the project.”

Council will develop a concept plan for the project which will then be taken to the community for public consultation.

The project upgrade will include:

  • a disability access ramp
  • replacement of existing pump station and chemical dosing facility
  • relining of existing pool
  • painting and minor refurbishments to existing ablutions and office
  • installation of solar panels to ablution block, and
  • removal of one of the smaller pools and installation of a ‘water play park’ and shade.