New pool will add to Wairoa Community centre's assets

The Wairoa Community Centre is drawing a big number of local residents and out-of-towners as well. Photo/File

The Wairoa Community Centre is proving a hive of activity for the small community, says Sport Hawke's Bay chief executive Colin Stone.

More people had utilised the centre in the past year than ever before, Mr Stone said.

Sport Hawke's Bay, operators of the community facility on behalf of the Wairoa District Council announced for the year ending June 30, the centre had formally achieved a record 85,220 visits - up 9.5 per cent on last year and 7 per cent ahead of the previous record year of 2008/09.

"This is a great result and a real credit to the passionate and dedicated Wairoa team led by Sara Rangi," Mr Stone said.

"What has been particularly pleasing is the almost 10 per cent growth in the use of the pool, particularly as we have had extended periods of pool closure for maintenance and remedial work."

All the recorded growth in pool visits has come from a dramatic upsurge through Learn to Swim programmes where almost four times as many youngsters went through programmes provided by the highly qualified swim school staff.

"This is another great indicator as to why we need to develop the scheduled Learn to Swim Pool. The potential, once this new pool is developed, will be exciting," Mr Stone said.

Plans for the new development are now at the final design stage.

Visits to the Fitness Centre programmes had remained steady and Mr Stone was hopeful new equipment and a new membership model would assist in helping to track numbers upwards over the next year.

"We have been on a continuous improvement pathway this year of upgrading and refreshing our Fitness Centre equipment with new treadmills, cross trainers, bikes and rowing machines installed.

"We have also invested in a new membership management system which is far more user-friendly than the previous system," Mr Stone said.

He said Sport Hawke's Bay were grateful for the proactive partnership with the building owners, Wairoa District Council.

"This has developed into a most positive relationship and both council and Sport Hawke's Bay are working very hard to ensure that the facility meets a high level of customer service and safety."

Wairoa District Council are currently carrying out strengthening work on the pool hall to ensure the facility meets new earthquake proofing standards.

Sport Hawke's Bay Wairoa manager Sara Rangi said this was certainly a record to be celebrated and definitely shows the hard work, dedication and passion of the team she works alongside.

"We always strive to provide quality service and programmes, always looking for new initiatives so we can reach as many people in our district and beyond to utilise the amazing facility we have right here in Wairoa."