Auckland Mayor opens new Norman Kirk Memorial Pools

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has reopened the Norman Kirk Memorial Pools in Otara.
The pools, which are part of the larger Otara Leisure Centre, have undergone significant re-development with the Council spending $11 million bringing them up to modern aquatic and recreational standards.
The 13-month redevelopment saw the demolition of the former indoor pool facilities and its replacement with a new complex with modern change facilities, toddlers' pool, leisure and learn-to-swim pool, four-lane 25-metre lap pool, and large spa and sauna.
The outdoor 33.3 metre pool has been retained with improvements to the surrounding grounds.
Mayor Brown explained "like many South Aucklanders, I've grown up with these pools (and) 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.
Named after a former New Zealand Prime Minister the original Norman Kirk Memorial Pool, opened in 1974.

http://www.manukauleisure.co.nz/otara/