The new Adelaide Aquatic Centre, funded and built by the South Australian Government, is a state-of-the-art community facility and an accessible space for everyone. Opened in January 2026, the centre has a focus on supporting the health and wellbeing of people of all ages and diverse abilities

This project represents a substantial capital investment, with a construction value of $135 million dollars, reflecting the scale, complexity, and technical performance requirements of the facility. Key features include six pools, including a 50m 10-lane indoor pool, four 13-metre-high waterslides, a 1,000sqm gym, and over 40 interactive splash

The building is all-electric and powered by 100% renewable energy. It notably features some of the largest mass-timber glulam beams ever installed in Australia. The centre has been designed to meet stringent regulatory, safety, and operational standards expected of a modern government‑owned asset.

The facility incorporates complex mechanical and electrical systems to support water treatment, air handling, heating, ventilation, lighting, safety systems, and ongoing operational efficiency. The long‑term performance of these systems is critical to occupant safety, user comfort, and asset longevity.

Services Delivered by Dewick & Associates

Dewick & Associates was engaged by Sturdie, the electrical contractor and Watson Fitzgerald & Associates Pty Ltd, the mechanical contractor on the project. We prepared technical construction documentation to support project handover and operational readiness.

Our services included:

• Mechanical and Electrical Services O&M Manuals: Full technical authoring of mechanical and electrical packages to support operational reliability.
• Preventative Maintenance Tools: Provision of log sheets, fault-finding processes, and guidance to support ongoing maintenance efficiency.
• Documentation Format: All manuals are delivered electronically in PDF format and aligned with Department for Infrastructure and Transport standardisedtemplates, making them easy for facility teams and contractors to access, update, and store securely.
• Commissioning Plans: We provide clear, project-specific plans that outline how mechanical systems will be tested, verified, and documented against codes, standards, and design intent, giving clients confidence that systems are ready for safe and compliant operation at handover.
• Dedicated Client Coordination: A single point of contact to collate accurate technical data and ensure documentation was bespoke, practical, and tailored to the building’s unique systems.
• Dedicated Technical Writing team: Our in-house technical writers bring extensive experience across complex construction projects, ensuring all manuals and documentation are clear, accurate, and tailored to project requirements.

The manuals were developed to provide facilities management teams with clear, structured, and project-specific guidance. Each manual consolidates system descriptions, operating procedures, maintenance schedules, warranties, certifications, and manufacturer data into a single, compliant reference document.

Project Outcomes

Our involvement supported a structured and efficient handover process by Sturdie and Fitzgerald & Associates, delivering documentation that aligned with government & regulatory standards and operational requirements.

Key outcomes included:

• Complete and compliant O&M Manuals delivered at handover
• Improved clarity for facilities management teams from day one of operation
• Streamlined transition from construction to operations
• Documentation structured for long-term asset management

Reducing Risk Through Specialist Technical Documentation

Engaging a specialist technical manual provider reduces risk across the project lifecycle. Incomplete or poorly structured manuals can lead to:

• Increased operational and compliance risk
• Higher maintenance and rectification costs
• Delays or disputes at project close-out
• Greater exposure during defect liability periods

Dewick & Associates provides experienced technical writers who understand construction, commissioning, and handover requirements. Our documentation is developed to align with project specifications, government standards, and operational needs, reducing ambiguity and supporting confident project close-out.

Discover more about DLP risk

Supporting Long-Term Asset Performance

The New Adelaide Aquatic Centre demonstrates the importance of structured, compliant documentation in supporting successful handover and long-term building performance. Clear O&M Manuals enable safer operation, better maintenance outcomes, and stronger asset management for government facilities.

Dewick & Associates deliver technical documentation services that focuses on compliance, reduces risk, and adds value long after practical completion for our clients. 

Find out more about our core services- O&M manuals, Compliance, Builders, Commissioning. 

Have an inquiry? Contact us.
Want to find out about other projects? Check out our project portfolio.

References, Acknowledgements and Sources

• • Image credit: Tom Roschi Photography
  • Sturdie, Project Electrical Contractor
  • Watson Fitzgerald & Associates, Project Mechanical Contractor
  • Sarah Constructions, Project builder
  • Department for Infrastructure and Transport–  About the new Adelaide Aquatic Centre Project.
  • Adelaide Aquatic Centre