24.2.2009 Media Release

Trust moves full steam ahead on Aquatic Centre Campaign

The Kapiti Aquatic Centre Trust has moved into top gear - kicking off a major fund-raising drive to raise over $20 million for the new district-wide complex.

Trust Chairman Neil Mackay says the complex has been on the agenda for the past six years and it is now time to move ahead “with urgency” and make it happen.

President of the Raumati Swimming Club Paul Norris says: “After so many years of rhetoric people actually believe the right people with the right motivation are in place. The Kapiti Coast will get a centre that befits its status as the number one place to live in New Zealand.

Mr Mackay says the key role of the Trust is “to champion” the complex as a community initiative to strengthen the local economy and build an asset for present and future generations.”

Mr Mackay believes the Complex, which will include: an Olympic pool, a learners’ pool, a rehabilitation pool, a Toddlers pool, two waterslides, a therapeutic pool, and a café, has the potential to put up to $35 million into the local economy in the next two years. It is an ideal project to stimulate economic activity in the current “credit crunch” environment, he says.
Chair of the Kapiti Chamber of Commerce Wendy Huston says the Chamber is “totally committed to the development of the Aquatic Centre – now.”
“It is critical, that we continue building local infrastructure that meets current needs and allows for predicted growth in the community. At the very least, we have an obligation to provide a public facility where our children can learn to swim and be safe in the water,” she says.
Ms Huston says the complex will not only provide a much-needed local facility, but will also attract regional and national events to Kapiti.
The Trust has now approved concept plans for the complex, which will go out for public consultation next month.

Mr Mackay estimates the complex will create over 55,000 hours of work - providing job opportunities for local builders, plumbers, electricians, painters, interior designers and a whole range of other trades.

“When it is open it will create up to 20 full-time jobs for swimming pool attendants and teachers, fitness instructors, maintenance workers. We also expect it to provide opportunities for a number of other local businesses - particularly in the maintenance, transport and hospitality sectors,” he says.

He says the Aquatic Centre is not just an idea whose time has come – “it is a project that is long overdue and has to happen”.

Kapiti College Principal Tony Kane says if anyone doubts a new pool is needed they should stand inside the Raumati Pool when it rains – “It leaks like a sieve.”

He says Kapiti is very badly served for amenities and there is a “clear need” for a new pool.

Mr Kane says Kapiti College is never able to have a full swimming sports because there simply isn’t room – so in the end it just comes down to a competition between students who are already into swimming.

Mr Mackay says the Raumati pool is way past its use-by date, many of our schools are without swimming pools and the large majority of people who live in Paraparaumu have no local pool.

“A significant number of our children are either not being taught to swim, or don’t have adequate swimming lessons. We are loosing local swimming talent out of the District and, we are not providing facilities for a wide range of people who want to keep fit, improve their health, or rehabilitate from accidents or injuries,” he says.

Mr Mackay says the Trust is committed to getting the job done as soon as possible.

He says the Trust is talking with a wide range of interests groups and community leaders and will soon be undertaking a round of public presentations. It is also engaging in detailed consultations to let community groups see the proposed plans and “make sure the core concept is absolutely right.

“We are working on a broad front to raise money from a wide range of regional and national organisations and will soon begin a local fund raising campaign.”

Mr Mackay says the Trust expects a considerable amount of the money for the project to come from outside Kapiti and will apply for a significant Government grant in March, and a number of other grants over the next few months.

“I’d like to see this project line up alongside the library and the new fire station as a sustainable, quality building that will meet the needs of Kapiti people of all ages.

Our vision is that the Centre will capture “the spirit of Kapiti” providing a friendly, relaxed, environment, where people of all ages can have fun, learn to swim, get fit, foster professional swimming ambitions, take part in a range of aquatic sports, and rehabilitate from injury or accidents.

“We want to build a centre we can all be proud of – it’s about creating a future for our children and grandchildren,” he says.

ENDS

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