Jumping for joy over pool
Cambridge swimming pool was a hive of activity when Waipa Post visited on earlier this month.
The pool was choker full of family groups including Cynthia Doole, a New Zealand citizen originally from the Philippines, her son Elliott, 9, daughter Elena, 4, and nephew Elias, 10.
“We love the pool, we are regulars here,” said Cynthia.
“It’s fantastic news that we are getting a new pool complex. People have been waiting quite a while for an upgrade. The council are constantly improving our town and the pool is part of that.”
The Dooles have been living in Cambridge for eight years after previously living in Australia.
Trevor and Lenora Shelley were poolside keeping an eye on their grandchildren, Rebecca, 9, and Dallas, 13. They’ve been coming down to the pool for swim training every day during the holidays.
They, too, are excited that Cambridge is to get a new swimming pool complex.
“It will be an excellent facility for the community to have,” said Trevor.
Lifeguard Daniel Morris said the beauty of the new complex is people will get to swim all year round.
“The indoor pool will be 25 metres long, like Te Awamutu’s, with 10 lanes.
“The good aspect of the build is that the current 50m outdoor pool is to remain and be upgraded.”
Pool manager Jay Shelgren said he loves coming to work each day throughout the summer.
“It’s a nice, fun environment enjoyed by people of all age groups. The pool is user friendly, being only 90cm deep in the shallow end and 1.3m at the deep end.”
Jay said there are some very good swimmers who take advantage of the 50m pool.
“The New Zealand Triathlon squad train here. Olympian Ryan Sissons is a regular, working out here three to four times a week, and the St Peter’s School swim squad trains here,” he said.
“We also have a large group of up to 40 senior age swimmers who attend five days a week from 9am to 10am, and former world cycling champion Sarah Ulmer is a regular leisure swimmer with her kids.”