AquaPark is a world-class, four-hectare aquatic centre dedicated to transforming aquatics in South Africa while uplifting the Xhawula Precinct in Pietermaritzburg. Our vision is to become the leading aquatics facility in Africa – developing talent, promoting water safety and Learn-to-Swim programmes, and providing an environment where athletes can reach their full potential.
Phase 1-2: complete
Pool: World-class
50m Myrtha pool
FUNCTIONS: competition &
training for all levels
FUNCTIONS: competition & training for all levels
pools: 2 learn-to-swim,
1 WATER POLO/WARM-UP
pools: 2 learn-to-swim, 1 WATER POLO/WARM-UP
Phase 3-5: ready to go
AREAS: CAFÉ, gym, Wellness
Studio & COLLAB space
AREAS: CAFÉ, gym, Wellness Studio & COLLAB space
The Water Is In. The Doors Are Opening.
AquaPark’s indoor Olympic-standard pool is no longer an idea or a construction site – it’s filled, tested, and coming to life. Seeing water settle into the 50m Myrtha pool marked a defining milestone for the project and a moment years in the making. This is the point where vision starts to become reality.
AquaPark was created to serve every level of swimmer – from para swimmers and water polo teams competing at events, to elite athletes pursuing personal bests, and families and communities connecting through the water.
With systems being finalised and finishing touches underway, AquaPark will open to the public in March. We’re taking the final steps deliberately, ensuring the facility is ready, safe, and delivered at the standard South Africa deserves.
This is your pool. And it’s almost time to dive in.
PHASE ONE
PHASE TWO
PHASE THREE
PHASE THREE
PHASE FOUR
PHASE FIVE
Across 2025, AquaPark has transformed from steel, concrete and vision boards into a fully realised Olympic-standard aquatic facility. What began as excavation and structural framework steadily evolved – walls rising, filtration systems installed, tiling completed, bulkhead positioned – each phase bringing the project closer to activation.
The moment the 50m Myrtha pool was filled marked more than construction progress. It signified years of planning, fundraising and belief becoming tangible. From the first groundworks to crystal-clear water settling into competition lanes, every image tells the story of disciplined execution and shared commitment.
AquaPark is set to redefine the landscape of aquatics in Africa.
The only question left is – will you be part of the journey?
AquaPark is set to redefine the landscape of aquatics in Africa.
The only question left is – will you be part of the journey?
Built for Every Swimming Level
AquaPark is designed to support every level of aquatic development – from elite athletes chasing Olympic dreams to children taking their very first strokes.
This is not a school pool – AquaPark is an educationally driven community initiative, operated by an independent NPC whose core objective is to enrich lives through the development, coordination, and promotion of aquatics in South Africa.
The Xhawula Precinct shares our commitment to creating a city that works – clean, green, and safe. While AquaPark activates the space through sport and education, Xhawula leads long-term precinct development and upliftment.
Every few decades we are given the rare opportunity to shape the future. AquaPark and Xhawula are seizing this moment to create a precinct built on education, sport, and shared opportunity – for a brighter Pietermaritzburg, and a stronger South Africa.
