Hamilton’s Waterworld swimming complex will fully reopen on Saturday 3 November, with a special event featuring entertainment, club showcases and an opportunity to look behind the scenes.

Waterworld is the flagship facility for Hamilton City Council’s Hamilton Pools operation, and was originally opened in 1976.

It has been closed since February for a $10.8M refurbishment which has included complete replacement of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, the filtration and pump equipment for the complex’s main pools, lighting improvements and an increase (by about 20cm) to the depth of the 50m pool.

Debbie Lascelles, the Council’s Community Services Manager, says the reopening will be marked by a special event – The Big Splash – which her staff have been planning.

“The Big Splash is a ‘welcome back’ to our valued customers,” Ms Lascelles says. “They’ve been very patient with us while Waterworld has been unavailable, so we want to make sure we put on something special for the reopening.”

Among the initiatives for The Big Splash are:

• Behind-the-scenes tours which will give small groups of customers the chance to see areas usually off-limits to the public.
• Inflatable attractions for children.
• Showcases by Hamilton Pools’ stakeholder clubs.
• Opportunities for customers to try new Glidefit equipment and paddleboats.
• Demonstrations of Hamilton Pools’ services and programmes.
• Ms Lascelles says as a special reopening day offer, entry to the facility will be free.
“We’re hopeful of some fine weather leading to a big crowd on the day,” she says. “If that’s the case, we need all our customers to show courtesy and patience

The Big Splash runs from 10am to 2pm. The complex will remain open until 8pm after the reopening event activities conclude.

Operational changes have also been made across the Hamilton Pools operation to coincide with the Waterworld reopening.

They include:

• A change to opening hours for both Waterworld and Gallagher Aquatic Centre.
• Alteration to the fees and charges for entry, lane booking and programmes offered by Hamilton Pools.
• Implementation of a wrist-band system for customers.
• Ms Lascelles says parents or caregivers also need to keep Hamilton Pools’ supervision policy in mind when visiting either of the swimming complexes.
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Those with children less than five years old need to be in the pool with the child, and within arm’s length. Children aged six, seven or eight must be actively supervised at all times by the parent or caregiver they’re with, and anyone under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Further details on the Waterworld refurbishment and operational changes can be found at www.hamilton.govt.nz/waterworld

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