North Shore's Albany Stadium Pool officially 'open' but still closed to public

Friday, 16 December 2016

Upper Harbour Local Board chairwoman Lisa Whyte was proud to open the Albany Stadium Pool complex.

The buoyant mood at the official opening of a new $21 million swimming pool in Auckland wasn't dampened by the fact it is not actually open for swimming.

The Albany Stadium Pool was formally opened by mayor Phil Goff today, despite the fact construction delays have set back the public opening until January 28.

Auckland mayor Phil Goff opens the not-quite-finished Albany Stadium Pool.

Not wanting to throw cold water on the opening, the event celebrated the nearly completed complex and what it will mean for the community.

Kaumatua Fred Holloway, who blessed the facility, said it would be a beautiful place to teach young children to swim.

Upper Harbour Local Board member Nicholas Mayne tests out the lily pad feature at the Albany Stadium Pool complex.

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'We all know that we have some of the most horrific statistics for drowning, when we are an island nation surrounded by water.'

Goff acknowledged the work of the local board and the former North Shore City Council in pushing for the pool complex, joking the old council came up with the idea, while Auckland Council paid for it.

'To the ratepayers of Auckland, thanks for the $21 million, but this is a facility for all,' he said.

Goff said the pool would be good to take his newly born granddaughter when she was a little older.

It was one of the best he had seen and miles better than the cold outdoor pool he learnt to swim in, he said.

While Goff acknowledged it was a shame the pool would not be open in time for the summer holidays, he said the indoor facility was likely to be enjoyed year-round.

The pool will cater for all ages with a 'splash pad' allowing toddlers to play with various water fountains, shallow kids' pools with splash buckets, water cannons and slides, plus some more difficult obstacles for older children.

The facility would fill a gap on the North Shore, said centre manager Tanya Langenbach.

'It's important, because on the Shore at the present time, there's nowhere to take families to have fun.'

Entry for under 16s would be free, although there might be a small charge for special play events, she said.

The facility will also include a separate 20m pool for learn-to-swim classes, fitness and aqua aerobics, a gym and group exercise area, and a room available for party hire.

Councillor Wayne Walker said these features were important as they would help the complex make money.

'Most swimming pool complexes cost the council a lot of money,' he said.

Walker hoped the new pool would cover not only its operational costs but depreciation.

Upper Harbour Local Board chairwoman Lisa Whyte said the opening was her proudest achievement in local government.

The project was envisaged more than 12 years ago, to help cater for the growing Albany area, she said.

Since then there were many setbacks but the project had finally come through with perseverance, Whyte said.