4 | Rotorua Lakes Council: Rotorua Aquatic Centre T T Karen Phelps Revitalised centre making a splash Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell with tamariki having the first swim on opening day REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell says it’s been a joint effort with partners and contractors to complete stage two of the Rotorua Aquatic Centre, which was opened to the public in June. “We are grateful for the support from others to deliver a better and refreshed facility for the many people who enjoy it,” she says. “Despite current financial challenges it’s been positive to see the progression of much needed upgrades and investment into this facility that is well loved and well used by residents of all ages in our community.” The completion of stage two represents a substantial investment in the community’s future with the indoor facility receiving a complete overhaul after nearly four decades of service. The newly opened areas include the indoor pools, refurbished front-of-house area, modernised change facilities (including several accessible changing rooms and a Universal Change Suite with hoist and shower bed), the Splash Café, and gymnasium. One of the most significant improvements is the complete upgrade of the pool filtration and treatment systems, ensuring optimal water quality for swimmers. The main pool hall has also undergone a transformation, featuring a transparent roof that creates a better connection with the outdoor 50m-pool area - the only outdoor heated 50m pool in the country utilising natural geothermal resources for heating. Mary Corbett, chair of Te Runanga o Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara, also praised the collaborative effort behind the project. “The Aquatic Centre project has been an example of genuine partnership with Māori through cultural inclusion while supporting community wellbeing. “Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara have had the opportunity in the design process to develop the cultural landscape to express their values and pūrākau | storytelling.” This partnership is evident in the centre’s new design elements, which incorporate cultural storytelling and inspiration from taiao (environmental) elements in the rohe (district). Lead artist Hakopa Pore, facilitated the cultural designs throughout the centre, which include a reception desk featuring a spiral design, drawing its inspiration from the whenua and the natural thermal mud pools around Kuirau Park, Rotorua. The pattern rises, falls “The Aquatic Centre project has been an example of genuine partnership with Māori through cultural inclusion while supporting community wellbeing.” and twists mimicking the movements of the bubbling mud as it emerges from the depths. The window frosting designs pay homage to the pounamu ornament, which was hung near the hot pool Tū-te-Mahurangi, capturing the timeless and spiritual essence, which gives the Tārewa Pounamu (Tarewa Road) area its name. Hakopa has said the repetitive nature of the pattern symbolises the community coming together in kotahitanga under one roof and ‘hanging up’ any work, worries or burdens to be renewed and rejuvenated by the restorative powers of the water. The revitalisation project has been a substantial undertaking and council began work on the redevelopment in 2019. Stage one saw the outdoor 50m-heated pool and changing facilities redeveloped. Stage two alone accounted for 107,336 manhours of work since November 2022. The combined investment from Rotorua Lakes Council and Central Government for this stage totalled $23.5 million, underscoring the project’s importance to the region. Stage three, which is dependent on securing external funding, could bring additional exciting features to the Aquatic Centre. Proposed additions include a splash pad, spas, a bomb pool, a hydroslide, and a dedicated learn-to-swim pool. Rotorua Aquatic Centre attracts over 350,000 visits annually. Its ‘learn to swim’ programme provides more than 70,000 lessons each year. Mayor Tapsell emphasises the long-term benefits of the upgrade: “This is an investment in our future and will be enjoyed by our community for years to come.”
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