An exciting new world-class marine sports centre is set to pave the way for the Auckland community.
The Akarana Marine Sports Charitable Trust, which was formed in 2012, will officially open the doors of its landmark Marine Sports Centre early next summer after six years in the making.
The centre,which is being built on the landing in Okahu Bay, will remain the home of the historic Royal Akarana Yacht Club as well as other sports clubs to promote and provide sports education, recreation, and leisure opportunities for local schools, clubs, and community groups.
The centre will host both national and international events. Photo / Supplied
Akarana Marine Sports Charitable Trust General Manager, Andrew Brookland, said the facility would be the first of its kind.
"There's lots of individual clubs but nothing of this scale … this will be a world-class facility," Brookland said.
"There's nothing like this to support the activity, the Royal Akarana Yacht Club has been looking to rebuild their building since 1990 ... so for them, the recognition of bringing all those sports together has given them the traction to actually make this change."
Waka, paddling, canoeing, and sailing are among many of the fully-funded marine-based sport activities the centre will offer to the wider community.
The centre will remain the home of the Royal Akarana Yacht CLub. Photo / Supplied
Brookland said that the new facility would also provide strong pathways to connect young people to water-based activities and active lifestyles.
"We're all focused on doing the right thing, getting our kids out, getting them active, and growing the opportunities for our kids to participate," he said.
"We need to make sure we're doing the right thing for our kids to get them into good habits of wanting to do something physical outside.
"For all of us, it's about growing participation numbers and getting as many people out there to enjoy the water."
The Marine Sports Centre will have the capacity to operate as a hosting facility for larger national and international events including the World 49er, 49 FX and Nacra Championship event which are all scheduled to be held at the centre in 2019.
The trust will also work toward funding scholarship opportunities for local school students as part of an outreach program for children to join the Akarana Sailing Academy.
