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Fantastic new community facility! (images below)
Wanganui’s wonderful new swimming and recreation complex at the Splash Centre is open.
The official opening, hosted by Mayor Michael Laws, was held on Friday 18th April with invited guests taking the plunge in the new pools and enjoying the thrill of the hydroslides.
Mayor Michael heralded the opening of the Splash Centre extension as “a great community celebration”.
“This project has had fantastic community involvement from the outset,” Mayor Michael said.
“The Splash Centre extension is much more than a major recreational and sporting amenity – it’s a celebration of Wanganui’s unique form of participatory democracy.
“We must never forget that the people of Wanganui placed this as their number one priority in Referendum ’05. They took the opportunity to have their say on how their rates should be spent – and where. I was delighted to offer that opportunity and this building stands as testimony to that unique partnership between council and citizens.”
Following the results of Referendum ’05, the Council confirmed a $3.8 million contribution to the project in its 10-Year Plan for 2006-2016.
The community enthusiastically supported fundraising efforts which were matched dollar for dollar by the Whanganui Community Foundation. The Project Splash Charitable Trust was the driving force behind the community fundraising. The Powerco Wanganui Trust, the first organisation to get behind the fundraising, contributed $800,000 to the project and Genesis Energy provided funding of $700,000 for the hydroslides.
Individuals and organisations who contributed to the fundraising were invited to the official opening on Friday, in appreciation of their support. After the official speeches and cutting of the ribbon, the guests were invited to be the first to take a dip in the new pools.
The extension was designed by McGowan and Harrison, of Wanganui, and Wanganui company Wells & Wadsworth was the successful tenderer for the building works and mechanical and electrical fit-out. Many other local companies were involved in the project. The hydroslides were fabricated by Cresta.
Delays in the arrival of materials from overseas meant the complex was completed later than anticipated – but it is well worth the wait.
“This extension, and the facilities it contains, will help make the Splash Centre one of the region’s premier aquatic arenas,” Mayor Michael said.
“This will be a major community asset for many years to come.”
The new facility includes a learners’ pool, school teaching/recreation pool, toddlers’ pool, lazy river, two spa pools, sauna, steam room, mezzanine complex, aquarobic pool and two giant hydroslides. The hydrotherapy pool will be completed in about eight weeks.
It will provide more opportunities for fun and recreation for families, while retaining pool space for the serious swimmers.
The Splash Centre offers something for all the family to enjoy so head along to see the new complex and be one of the first to enjoy all it has to offer.
Photos from the opening (click to see full size)
 
 
   
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