New pool opening set for Sunday ceremony
THE long wait for the opening of the new Wanaka community pool is almost over.
It was announced yesterday the opening ribbon will be cut this weekend on Sunday by twotime Olympian Nicky Samuels assisted by Queenstown Lakes District Council deputy mayor Calum MacLeod.
The new facility features a 25m, eightlane lap pool, adult hot pool, and a learners pool with separate toddlers area.
A blessing on the pool was performed by Ngai Tahu on Friday last week to signify the handover from lead contractor Cook Brothers Construction to the council.
Council sport and recreation manager Simon Battrick said he was looking forward to opening the doors to the public.
‘‘This has been a major project for council and the project team and it’s going to be a real community asset for the Upper Clutha.
‘‘Moving from one pool to three enables us to meet the needs of a growing population and cater much better for the different needs of groups like kids learning to swim, older adults and lap swimmers.’’
Free public swimming will begin at 10am and a pool party with games, competitions, bumper boats and inflatables will run from 11am to 2pm, before the pool closes at 4pm.
From Monday, June 11 all facilities at the Wanaka Recreation Centre will be open from 6am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm on weekends and public holidays.
The community pool on Plantation Rd will close to the public with a pool party from 24pm this Saturday.
The Wanaka Upper Clutha Lions, instrumental in the pool’s opening in 1992, will perform the official closing at 4.45pm.
A council report with options for the future of the old pool site will be completed before the end of the year.