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Mayor opens new pools in Otara
Media release
26 January 2011
Mayor opens new pools in Otara
Today [Wednesday 26 January] Mayor Len Brown has the duty of officially opening the Norman Kirk Memorial Pools in Otara.
The pools, which are part of the wider Otara Leisure Centre, have undergone significant re-development. Council has spent $11 million and 13-months bringing them up to modern aquatic and recreational standards.
The old indoor pool facilities have been completely demolished and a new complex, comprising modern change facilities, toddlers’ pool, leisure and learn-to-swim pool, four-lane 25-metre lap pool, and large spa and sauna, has been built.
The outdoor 33.3-metre pool has been retained with improvements to the surrounding grounds.
Named after a former Prime Minister the original Norman Kirk Memorial Pool, opened in 1974, provided aquatic facilities in the heart of the Otara for 35 years.
“Like many South Aucklanders, I’ve grown up with these pools,” says Len Brown. “Over their history, several generations of some families have learned to swim and be safe in the water here.
“This project restores a legacy and delivers a tremendous asset for the Otara community. It’s a great thing particularly for Otara’s young people. Places like this encourage more people to learn to be safe in the water, be active, and even just give kids something interesting and fun to do.”
“The design was developed through community workshops and in consultation with the Otara Community Board. I think the end product is something that everyone who contributed their thoughts and ideas can be proud of. It’s a facility that the whole community will be proud of.”
The Otara Leisure Centre is operated by Manukau Leisure, a stand-alone business unit of Auckland Council, and also includes recreation facilities and a Community Gym.
Like Manukau’s other indoor swimming pools, the Norman Kirk Memorial Pools will host the CommunitySwim programme, which provides free swimming lessons to local school children in Years 3, 4 and 5. The programme is run by Manukau Leisure and made possible by the John Walker ‘Find Your Field of Dreams’ Foundation.
The team responsible for the build includes project managers Davis Langdon, Ignite Architects and Mainzeal Property and Construction.
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