NZ’s biggest national aquatic centre opens

• May 29, 2015

Back (from left): Bill Plunkett, Hon Murray McCully, Len Brown, Mike Stanley. Front (from left): Cathy Shaw, Sir Graeme Avery, Sir Owen Glenn, Murray Reade. Copyright Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.co.nz

New Zealand’s biggest national aquatic centre on Auckland’s North Shore has been formally opened.

The $26 million Sir Owen G Glenn Aquatic Centre at AUT Millennium was officially opened by Sir Owen Glenn, Hon Murray McCully and Mayor of Auckland, Len Brown.

Sir Owen said he felt privileged to have such a significant asset for New Zealand sport named after him.

“This magnificent facility should be seen as the beacon to attract both domestic and international competitions,” he said.

AUT Millennium chief executive and New Zealand Olympic Committee president Mike Stanley said the aquatic centre will be a home for high-performance sport and for teaching children the important life-skill of swimming. It will host both local and national events.

“It is a world-class centre of excellence for swimming, water polo and other aquatic sports, as well as helping thousands of young New Zealanders to learn to swim and be safe in the water,” Mr Stanley said.

Plans to build a new pool started in 2012, when Auckland Council decided to fund $13 million of the $26 million project.

Under an agreement with AUT Millennium and Auckland Council, some lanes will be open for public use because of the funding provided by the council.

Swimming New Zealand and New Zealand Water Polo will have their national headquarters in the new building. Swimming New Zealand’s high-performance team will use the aquatic centre to train.

CEO of High Performance Sport New Zealand, Alex Baumann, said the aquatic centre will enhance the performance of athletes.

“This pool is a great addition to the National Training Centre, and will help our athletes achieve their full potential,” he said.

The aquatic centre will be complete in August. The National Swimming Short Course championships will be the first event held in the new pool, from August 11 to 16.

The aquatic centre has international events booked in the new pool. The FINA International Swimming Federation World Youth Water Polo Championship will be held in 2016 and the Worlds Masters Games in 2017.