Napier Aquatic Centre Spring Open Day a big success

Davantae Heather, from Flaxmere, about to hit the water in the bombing competition at the Napier Aquatic Centre Spring Open Day yesterday. Photo/ Warren Buckland

People of all walks of life descended at the Napier Aquatic Centre yesterday for a day of fun in the water.

The Napier Aquatic Centre Spring Open Day, organised by the Napier City Council, invited people to have a say about the centre's expansion project and the three concept designs, which were released last month.

There was free entry between 11am and 2pm and council director of community services Antoinette Campbell said as soon as the charges at the door were dropped there was an influx of families.

"It was a good day and everyone was having such a fun time. It was packed right the way through."

There were surveys for people to fill in, as weel as the bombing competition, treasure hunt, lolly scramble and Aqua Run inflatable.

A major prize of an array of vouchers worth $500 was won by a young girl, Cherokee Birch. The package included things like a penguin encounter and trip to the aquarium.

"She was very stoked with it," Ms Campbell said.

During the day council staff received hundreds of completed surveys, describing what people wanted in a new facility.

"After looking over a few it was clear that some sort of leisure and recreation activity was important to them."

The council released three options last month, which included either an extension of the existing facilities costing $19.5 million, a 25m new build costing $37 million or a 50m new build costing $38 million.

All options included a new gym and health and wellness area but the new builds also featured a water play area which would have a beach access pool, new hydroslides, lazy river and bomb pool.

Ms Campbell said once the consultation process ended they would look at all of the results and provide a summary report back to the council.

On the council's website a page had been set up for people to share their views on the three options and to state which one they preferred and why.

Some of the latest comments showed support for the 50m new build as people felt it would attract more opportunities in competitive swimming and draw more events to the Bay.

"For a million difference over a 30-year lifespan then option 3 is the way to go. Option one is just boring, would be no different to facilities now, need somewhere awesome for the kids to go, very exciting," one person posted.

However, others were happy with the 25m new build and said not to get caught in the "50m pool hype".

Ms Campbell said this project was one thing people were excited about and staff were as equally excited to be part of developing a new pool facility that would meet everyone's needs.

For more information visit: www.napier.govt.nz/our-council/consultations/have-your-say/napier-aquatic-centre-expansion.