Newmarket's Olympic Pool celebrates 75 years
The Newmarket Olympic Pools and Fitness Centre has celebrated its 75th anniversary with a family open day and commemorative dinner.
Opened in 1940 by the Newmarket Borough Council, the Olympic Pool had the distinction of being New Zealand's first 50 metre swimming pool.
In 1950 it was the venue for aquatic competition in the Empire (now Commonwealth) Games, and in 1957 produced the first world swimming record for a New Zealander when Philippa Gould broke the record for the 200 metre backstroke.
Over the years, the facility declined to the point of closure in 1992, but was re-opened on March 1994 after a joint venture development between the Auckland City Council and Olympic Pool and Fitness Centre Ltd (OPFC Ltd).
Still the only covered Olympic size pool in central Auckland, the pool is an extremely popular facility and has developed a reputation for first class and friendly service.
The facility is acknowledged as being an excellent example of a private public partnership, owned by the Auckland City Council but run by OPFC with all the investment in the development and upkeep of the complex being at no cost to ratepayers.
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