Shallow Water Play Extension

Aerial view of the Aquatic Centre extension

Spray – an indoors water-play area offering a range of family-oriented activities – opened in Kilbirnie in February 2008.

The new facility considerably extended the services and activities offered at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre in Kilbirnie. The 1600 square metre extension provides more child and family water-play space, freeing up existing pool space for water sports.

The fully interactive shallow water play area features a spray park and watery design elements that will be changed regularly.

Hydrotherapy services were incorporated in the second phase of the construction project. This is a partnership between the Council and Capital and Coast District Health Board. Both projects were completed in early 2008.

Objectives

The project aimed to:

• provide activities and amenities promoting greater family participation
• provide targeted activities and attractions for children
• provide more suitable and dedicated babies and toddlers pools
• improve the accessibility of changing facilities
• provide for sustained community use during regional, national and international events
• increase the capacity for aquatic sports clubs to utilise existing deep water areas by moving recreation, leisure and structured programmes out of the main pool
• improve café services with more seating and operational space
• provide dedicated, appropriate facilities and pools for structured programmes, including schools and public ‘learn-to-swim’ programmes
• provide community hydrotherapy services
• provide additional public lane swimming capacity at Freyberg Pool and Fitness Centre.

Budget

The Council spent $12.3 million providing the shallow water-play area and hydrotherapy services. This is part of the Aquatic Centre’s overall scheduled redevelopment.

Timeline

Construction started in January 2006 and the project was completed in early 2008.

More Information

Jim Warwick
Manager, Strategic Projects & Assets
Recreation Wellington

Related Links

• News Release - 5 February 2008
• Hydrotherapy Services
• Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre

Department Details:
Project Office