New National Aquatic Centre opens in Auckland

New Zealand's only aquatic centre capable of hosting major international events has opened at AUT Millennium in Auckland.

After more than 18 months of construction, the Sir Owen Glenn National Aquatic Centre opened on Saturday morning (1st August) for a series of community events, welcoming a selected few into having a ‘first splash’.

Offering a new home for aquatic sport in New Zealand, AUT Millennium Chief Executive Mike Stanley is thrilled with the new facility and what it will offer, stating “I know people will be impressed – it is certainly a landmark facility and one that will provide both high performance and community users a world class experience.

“I want to thank all those involved in making it happen and for their contribution. The goodwill the project has generated has been significant and all can feel proud of what has been achieved.”

The National Aquatic Centre was developed in partnership with the Auckland Council and with the generous support of Lottery Grants Board, Lion Foundation Sport New Zealand and Glenn Family Foundation and was designed by Pacific Environments and completed by Argon Construction.

Dedicated at the end of May, the Centre was officially opened by Sir Owen Glenn, Minister for Hight Performance Sport Murray McCully and Mayor of Auckland, Len Brown.

Sir Owen, a significant contributor to the project, expressed his delight that the new facility is nearing completion, stating “iIt is my honour to have my name associated with this new state of the art aquatic centre.

“We are a maritime nation, with abundant inland waterways, which we have learned to enjoy and it would be my wish that every New Zealand child be taught to swim before reaching the age of six.

“I know many fellow citizens share this wish with me and it is contingent on our Government and community to implement a plan to achieve this objective.”

Swimming New Zealand and New Zealand Water Polo will base their offices in the new facility and, along with Paralympics New Zealand, will operate their high performance programmes at the centre.

The facility will also expand AUT Millennium’s award winning Swim School and Water Safety programmes, as well as aquatic sports and public swimming.

Stanley added “the National Aquatic Centre is an excellent example of strong partnerships working together to meet both local and national needs.

“The Aquatic Centre signifies AUT Millennium’s commitment to lead the development of facilities in New Zealand which benefit both high performance and the community.”

“It is a world-class centre of excellence for swimming, water polo and other aquatics sports, as well as helping thousands of young New Zealanders to learn to swim and be safe in the water”.

The Aquatic Centre will be open for public use from Monday 3rd August and is set to host the New Zealand Short Course Championships from 11th to 15th August.

AUT Millennium is a charitable trust and the home of high performance sport in New Zealand. It seeks to help New Zealand athletes win on the world stage while also providing community facilities, services, research and education. The organisation operates seven business units including a swim school and gym and has strong relationships with High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) and Auckland University of Technology (AUT).

Lower image shows finishing touches being put to the facility last week.

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