Initial design concepts proposed for Rotorua Aquatic Centre upgrades

Early design concepts for upgrades to Rotorua’s Aquatic Centre feature a bombing pool, water slides, a new outdoor water play area, new indoor play features, a dedicated learn-to-swim pool, new entrance, renovated outdoor pool and changing facilities, a new gym and new hot pool. 

Funding of $7.5 million was allocated in Rotorua Lakes Council’s 2018-28 Long-Term Plan for capital investment in the Aquatic Centre and the work being planned will include repairs, replacements, renovation and additional facilities.

The plans and related early concept design images, both of which are still in development, were presented to elected members at a recent Operations & Monitoring Committee hui (meeting) by Council staff and representatives from CLM which has been managing the facility on behalf of Council for the past six months.

John Latimer, Managing Director of facility manager CLM spoke about the potential to partner with leading waterslide suppliers Whitewater NZ for investment in waterslides and a new water play area at the Aquatic Centre. He said while the centre was very much a community facility and would remain so, waterslides would be an additional visitor attraction for Rotorua.

The work and upgrades have been split into two priority lists and final costs will not be known until further design work and investigations such as geotechnical work have been completed.

Commenting on the plan, Council Operations Group Manager Henry Weston stated "we are confident we can make a huge difference within the budget allocated (in the Long-Term Plan) and Whitewater New Zealand’s potential investment increases the opportunities further."

CLM and Whitewater NZ previously invested in waterslides at Palmerston North’s Lido Aquatic Centre.