St Cuthbert's College looks to gain from new complex

St Cuthbert's College will run swimming classes after school hours.

A new $17 million health and fitness centre at private Epsom girls' school St Cuthbert's College opens today.

Principal Lynda Reid said the Centre for Wellbeing housed a 25m swimming pool with moveable floor, learners' pool, fitness centre and 250-seat spectator gallery.

The 1470-pupil school will offer programmes in health, nutrition, fitness and drug, alcohol and sex education. Reid said the complex was one of the biggest building projects in the college's 100-year history.

Dominion Constructors started work two years ago, after the existing pool was found to be structurally unsound and had to be demolished.

"We saw losing our old pool complex as an opportunity to move into our next 100 years with a new, sustainable practice," Reid said.

The school hopes to generate an income out of the new centre, designed by Architectus.

During the day, students have full use of the facilities and can book pool or gym space for team training.

But when there are no students at school, part of the complex's day-to-day costs will be met through the St Cuthbert's Swim School, a venture open to the wider community from next term.