Numbers exceed expectations at Onehunga War Memorial Pool

Users numbers at the Onehunga War Memorial Pool (OWMP) are growing week by week, continuing to exceed the expectations CLM Management who reopened the facility on 1st April.

CLM report that the positive response of facility users has been overwhelming with the CLM staff enjoying getting to know all the members and users of the facility.

The reopened facility offer a new fitness centre with brand new equipment, new flooring and the development of a group fitness room. An exciting and evolving group fitness timetable has been implemented and the members are enjoying a wide range of classes including Spin, Pump, Zumba and Box Fit.

Currently OWMP is providing 33 Group Fitness classes per week and in the weeks since opening the membership is already over 500 members, with the facility planning to celebrate with the members as they reach membership milestones.

A number of community fitness programmes are being run out of the centre with a eight-week weight loss challenge, corporate wellness nights for local businesses and a ladies bootcamp.

Local sports teams are being encouraged to warm down after their games on Saturdays by receiving a discounted rate to use the pool facilities on Sunday mornings for recovery sessions.

The swim school continues to grow each week with more and more families signing up for the SwimMagic programmes and are enjoying being part of New Zealand's largest and fastest growing swim school.

Also in the pool area local youth can enjoy the safe and fun environment of the Saturday night Wave Raves. The weekly event is now has over 50 children enjoying the fun, games, latest music and the opportunity to win MP3s, free passes to the pools and other prizes. The activities on the evening include the Aqua Run, Slide, bombing competitions and relays for everyone. A special Hawaiian themed evening was also held at the end of May.

In working closely with the Council, CLM ensures that the facility is promoted to the local community through community visits that are conducted. Already to date a number of schools have been visited by Kori the penguin mascot, these schools include Hillsborough School, St Josephs School and Auckland Normal Intermediate.

CLM has been overwhelmed by the positive response and feedback from the users of the facility.

As regular user Karen Williams explains "thank you to all the staff for making this complex so wonderful. All the work the staff have put in to making it probably the best, if not one of the best complexes around. It is a privilege to return as a member again and be part of this great environment."

CLM General Manager Craig Carter says "I am rapt with the start of the CLM operation at the Onehunga War Memorial Pool. It is pleasing to see the new programmes get of the ground immediately with weekly Wave Raves attracting over 50 children per week. The fitness centre now has over 500 members and the SwimMagic Swim School is nearing 400. All these numbers are above expectations, so it's great to see the local community getting active at their Onehunga War Memorial Pool. "

Contract Relationship Manager for Auckland Council; Scott Tibbutt adds "I am very pleased with the progress CLM have made at Onehunga War Memorial Pool, the facility is abuzz with new staff, uniforms and equipment. From the progress made so far I am sure the facility will continue to be a fantastic asset to the community."

Fitness equipment at OWMP was provided by Blue Fitness.

For more information go to www.onehungapool.co.nz