Makino enjoyed endless summer

Feilding's Makino Aquatic Centre cashed in on the 2007-08 endless summer and enjoyed some of its best attendance figures in years as visitors swamped the complex in search of welcome relief from the hot conditions.

MAC Manager, Iain Brown, said the busy season resulted in three consecutive months where attendances were above those for the corresponding period last season – up 300 for December, 1700 for January and 1600 for February.

The statistics showed that a record-breaking 18,022 admissions were registered in February, generally the pool’s busiest month, compared to the previous highest monthly total of 16,482 in February last year.

Mr Brown was unsure whether the centre’s record annual attendance of 122,018, set in 2006-07, would be eclipsed; with three months of the 2007-08 financial year still to run the overall admission total stood at 95,140.

“Our March figures were not as high compared to last year when we hosted several large carnivals, which are shared on a rotation basis around the region, and a Children’s Day that drew nearly 5000 swimmers and spectators.”

The appearance of a timekeepers’ shelter at the southern end of the main pool and the installation of better equipment in the BBQ hut had proved to be popular acquisitions during the season.

“The multi-purpose timekeepers’ structure not only provides plenty of shade and shelter for the officials, but also for lifeguards and spectators,” said Mr Brown.

 

With public interest now focused on MAC’s indoor winter programme, one new initiative – a weekly water-walking class – was likely to draw attention.

“We are looking at catering for people rehabilitating from injuries to knees and hips who would rather walk lengths than swim. It’s got a shorter time span than an aqua class and targets movement rather than fitness.”