Turangi Pool celebrates opening

Turangi’s new swimming complex will be opened this Sunday in what will be an afternoon of community celebration and family fun.

The Genesis Energy Turangi Aquatic Centre will be officially opened at 1pm by Dr Tumu te Heuheu, Paramount Chief of Ng
ti Tkwharetoa. Apotoro (apostles) of the Ratana Church will undertake the blessing of the complex.

Chairman of the Turangi/Tongariro Community Board Councillor Don Ormsby, who has overseen the project, says the facility will complement and enhance the social, health, recreation and economic outcomes of the Turangi community.

“The Genesis Energy Turangi Aquatic Centre is going to be a huge addition for Turangi and a valuable community asset for people of all ages. It’s really exciting to see it completed,” he said.

The $4.5 million project included heating of the existing 25 metre pool and toddlers’ pool, a new learners’ pool and a 1.8 metre deep activity pool, new changing rooms, additional storage and an upgraded entrance area.

Earlier this week, the Turangi/Tongariro Community Board received a koha from Guy Smallman and his family which will be used at the complex. The carved pou has been within the Turangi township for a number of years and has been lovingly restored to its former glory. It will now stand in the entrance to the aquatic centre acting as a kaitiaki or guardian for all who enter the new facility and will be unveiled and blessed as part of the formal proceedings.

After the opening, the various pool facilities, (lane swimming, aqua jogging, toddler and learners’ pool, inflatable obstacle course and bombing area) will be available at set times for the public to check out.

There will also be a “Wh
nau Challenge” run by local police which will test families in a variety of fun events: a pool obstacle course, an outdoor obstacle course, a police car push, a mini golf challenge, a library challenge, an exercise challenge and a trout hatchery challenge. There are three $100 sports packs to be won.

The pool will be temporarily closed from Monday 8 September to complete a final few project tasks before it will fully ready for public use. The pool’s opening hours are yet to be confirmed but will allow for early morning swimmers as well as evening users.