Rotorua Aquatic Centre is a community facility nestled in the beautiful Kuirau Park. The Centre comprises an indoor 25m heated pool, a learner/toddler pool, and New Zealand’s only all year outdoor 50m heated pool. It also has a gym, café and plenty of changing/shower facilities. It is open 6am to 9pm every day* except Christmas Day.
This much-loved Centre has served Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty for over 40 years. It is an important place for community recreation, athletic competitions and training and most importantly, for teaching our tamariki to swim and be confident in and around water.
Over the past 5 years the aging complex has undergone a multimillion-dollar revitalization programme. The venue now offers users a higher quality experience.
The renovations include:
- increasing the 50m pool depth to 1.4 metres to meet International Swimming Federation depth standards
- adding extra length to the 50m pool accommodate a bulkhead which can be shifted to create two 25 metre pools
- new decking around the 50m pool
- a new filtration system
- a PoolPod accessibility lift
- a new lightweight transparent roof over the indoor pools
- an open plan reception and café area
- modernised changing and shower facilities
Latest statistics report that the Centre has over 350,000 visits per year and the ‘learn to swim’ programme runs more than 70,000 lessons annually. This large number of visitors coupled with the size and layout of the facility presents a significant challenge for Community Leisure Management (CLM), the company that manages the Centre. An extensive team of life guards, maintenance crew, cleaners, teachers, receptionists and administrators staff the complex. Leah Burgess, Facility Manager, is very proud of the work her team put in daily to make sure that every user has an enjoyable and safe experience.
Alcom Communications supplies portable radios that provide the team with prompt, clear and consistent communications across the different areas of the complex. While the hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) and moisture in the Rotorua environment is not ideal, keeping the radios clean, storing them in a well-ventilated area when not in use and having them regularly checked and serviced minimises internal corrosion and helps extend their life.
Leah says: “We use radio because the push to talk instant communication allows important messages to be relayed to the team promptly. This enhances everyday operations and becomes vital in the event of an accident or other emergency when we need to get help where it is needed as quickly as possible.”
She went on to say: “It has been great to work with Alcom, our local radio dealer. They provide sound advice, quality products and prompt service when we need it.”
*Public Holiday hours may differ
