Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre: Plunge into Fitness

The Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre opened in August 2007 and is easily one of the most distinctive contemporary buildings in the inner Sydney area. Named after five-time Olympic gold medallist and Australia’s most successful aquatic athlete, the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre is a state-of-the-art indoor swim centre and gymnasium, open to the public seven days a week.  

Located in Ultimo, on the western edge of Darling Harbour, the aquatic centre’s signature glass panelled, wave shaped roof vaults over the top of the 50 metre pool, filling it with natural light. The building was designed by legendary Sydney architect Harry Seidler – his last public project before his passing in 2006. The centre was built over 18 months at a cost of $40 million.

There are three heated swimming pools within the complex – the eight-lane lap pool, a family-friendly leisure pool and a program pool for scheduled activities like aerobics and aqua therapy. For those less keen on getting wet, there’s also a fitness centre with a gymnasium, a spin cycling room, a sauna and steam room and an indoor/outdoor café with views of the city skyline. As well as offering regular learn-to-swim classes for infants to adults, the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre has all the services you’d expect from a great local gym – personal training, group fitness classes, squad training and special school holiday programs.   

HelloMetro Tip: Casual visitors pay $6.20 for entry to the pool ($4.60 for concession and $16.50 for families), and $12.40 for a swim, steam and sauna pass. If you can see yourself becoming a regular visitor to the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, get yourself a 20-visit pass for $99, or sign up for a membership package.
 

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