Visitor numbers at Te Awamutu’s Te Awamutu Livingstone Aquatic Centre have bounced back to more than 130,000. Photo: Jeremy Smith.
The level of swimming pool and event centre use in Cambridge and Te Awamutu is up 55 per cent on last year and exceeding pre-Covid numbers.
Waipā Community Facilities Trust runs the Te Awamutu Events and Perry Aquatic centres in the towns under a services agreement with the district council.
Chief executive Matt Horne provided figures in an update to the council’s Service Delivery committee this week.
The centre in Te Awamutu includes the Livingstone Aquatic Centre, the ASB Stadium and the Club Waipā gymnasium.
The Perry Aquatic Centre, formerly the Cambridge swimming pools, reopened in May 2021.
Usage over the years.
Total visits across the two sites in the 12 months starting July 1 went above 350,000 for the first time – up from 195,000 three years ago when Cambridge was closed for refurbishment.
“Maintenance and recruitment have been the major challenges for the year. It has been difficult to fill all vacant positions across both sites which has been a common theme across our industry,” Horne told the committee in his report.
“Many aquatic facilities throughout the country have reduced their opening hours or services to combat these challenges.
“Go Waipā has managed to maintain operating hours and services with minimal interruptions to our customers,” he said.
The five-yearly maintenance closure and the stadium floor refurbishment affected Te Awamutu Events Centre’s numbers which were still up against last year but down from pre Covid.
The closures came in June this year and the floor refurbishment in the first three months of this year.
Visitor numbers at Livingstone Aquatics in Te Awamutu were up 41 per cent on last year – with 130,659 people – but down from two years ago when there were 141,826 users.
Meanwhile the ASB Stadium had a record 31,000 users and Club Waipā, which has 843 members, had nearly 58,000 visitors, slightly down on two years ago.
The outdoor pool in Cambridge is a popular spot in summer. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
In Cambridge, the Perry Aquatic Centre had its first year without restrictions since its refurbishment.
“Overall attendance was 147,625 up 52,452 visits or 55% over 2021-2022 figures of 95,176,” said Horne.
“Operationally we continue to work through and address teething issues and most of the outstanding remedial works should be completed early 2023-2024.”
Splish splash – children play in the bucket spill water feature. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Swim Waipā is another success with membership up 16 per cent with water safety participation a highlight. The Kickstart holiday programme attendance is a standout.
Customer behaviour has been a concern though with an increase in trespasses from three in 2020 to 11 this year.
Accidents and contaminations were up but that was more a reflection of the increased visitor numbers, he said.
Compliments were down and complaints and suggestions were up.
Ratepayers covered 50.25 per cent of the facilities’ overall costs with the council contributing $2.6 million and another $586,500 on capital renewal.
Surplus before tax was $452,375, up from $234,038 last year but still well short of the $867,864 from two years ago.
The ASB Stadium seats up to 800 spectators and is used for a variety of events or sporting activities.
Perry Aquatic Centre consists of an indoor 25m x25m pool, a learner/hydrotherapy pool, tots pools and splash pad. It also has an upgraded 50m outdoor pool, which is open during the summer months.
The Livingstone Aquatics is an indoor facility which includes a 25 metre pool, hydroslide, hydrotherapy pool, learners pool, toddler’s pool, spa, sauna and an inflatable obstacle course.
A popular attraction for younger children outside is the bucket spill water feature. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
