Hawkes Bay’s brand new aquatic centre at the Hastings Sports Park has been open only a month but already it is being well-patronised, according to its manager Nathan Manu.
“We’ve had over 100 people sign up as members, 220 10-trip cards purchased, and over 1,500 causal swims,” he says.
The centre’s Swim School started on Monday Sept 19, with 290 students enrolled and more spaces available. “We also have a school holiday programme.”
As well, there are 60 swim squad sessions each week between the Napier Aquahawks, Greendale, Sundevils, and Trojans swim clubs. Greendale’s Spring Carnival will be held over the October 15/16 weekend.
The Aquatic Centre, featuring a 51.5 metre in length pool with a 1.5m moveable bulk-head, a smaller 25 metre pool and two hydrotherapy pools, is capable of hosting national and international events.
The first national event is the NZ Water Polo Masters over Labour Weekend Oct 21-24. Hawke’s Bay Water Polo chairman Steve Knights says a local team will compete with six others in the round robin series over four days with the finals held on Monday morning.
“It is very special for us to play at the new aquatic centre,” he says. “The sport is relatively new to the Bay but we’ve already got 200 players.” He urges anyone interested in the sport to head along to the Aquatic Centre and have a look during the Labour Weekend National Competition.
Steve predicts with the new facility now open, water polo will take off in the Bay.
Hawke’s Bay/Poverty Bay Long Course regional champs are on just before Christmas, December 16-18, and then the Aquatic Centre’s first national swimming event is the NZ Age Group champs in April 2023
The $32 million pool complex was funded largely through the Covid Infrastructure Recovery Fund and is state-of-the-art even including a pool pod chair based on the design developed for the London Paralympics.
So head on down for a swim or event. Swims will cost you $9.00 for an adult, with a $6.00 concession for Seniors, Students and Community Service Card holders.
Photo: Jennifer Bake Photography
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