Pool complex set for big splash

The waves are crashing, the spa is bubbling and the slides are ready for today's opening of the Whangarei Aquatic Centre's $10 million pool complex.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony at lunchtime was to have brought an end to six years of discussion, planning and building behind the city's newest recreational swim venue.
From tomorrow the public can enjoy the wave, tots, hydrotherapy and spa pools as well as two hydroslides.
Sport Northland chief executive Brent Eastwood said the $10million project had gone "slightly" over budget.
The complex did not go through its massive makeover without controversy and heated words. There had been strong criticism from some disappointed sports enthusiasts who would have preferred a 50-metre Olympic pool.
When the old and failing 50-metre pool was closed to make way for the renovation, Swim Northland president Sylvia Roberts described it as a black day for Northland sport. Young competition swimmers would be seriously disadvantaged without a local 50-metre pool, she said.
But Northland did not have the population to sustain the capital cost of both a 50-metre pool and leisure pool concept at the same time, Mr Eastwood said at the time.
A survey had asked 500 people to find out what the public wanted, and only six percent wanted to include a 50-metre pool in the redevelopment plan.
The new complex was "exactly" what the public wanted, Mr Eastwood said on the eve of the facility's opening.
"The council did a lot of research into what the public would like and the recreational aspect is what they wanted. I think it's fantastic and will be really well received."
The existing heated indoor pool will be used mainly by lane swimmers although the wave pool can also accommodate 25-metre lanes.
"We will be closing the other (heated indoor) pool for a spruce-up some time next year but it will definitely re-open. The new pools are more for recreational use and the other pool will be more aimed at lane swimmers."
The outside dive pool will also be refurbished in time for summer.
Aquatic Centre Redevelopment Committee chairman Chris Biddles said he was looking forward to ``jumping in the pool and acting like a big kid on the slides'.
"It looks amazing. It's been six years of pretty hard work but the Whangarei and Northland communities will get to have so much fun."
The Whangarei District Council - which provides operating funds for the centre - first began discussions for the pool complex in 2001. Building work began in January 2006 and Mr Biddles admits it took longer than anticipated.
The pool, which is owned by Sport Northland but run by management company CLM, will open to the public at 7am tomorrow. Until October 31 adults will be charged $2.40 and children $1.30. Prices will then increase to $6 for adults and $4 for children.