Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre Gains National Recognition

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre – Powered by PaknSave Hastings has taken out two national construction project awards with its design and build partner Apollo Projects.

The centre, operated by Hawke’s Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust, won excellence and best in category in the Holmes Group Tourism and Leisure Property Award at the 2023 Property Industry Awards as well as Gold at the 2023 Master Builders Commercial Property Awards

The $32 million Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre is one of only a few 50m FINA World and Olympic standard pools in New Zealand.

Apollo Projects Co-Founder, Paul Lloyd said the regional aquatic centre is already regarded as New Zealand’s premier aquatic facility and a testament to the determination of some incredible people and the community within which it is built.

"Everyone from the client to the designers and sub-contractors and the team at Apollo are hugely proud of what has been achieved – right through COVID and for the cost it was built for. It really shows what can be achieved with a no excuses attitude."

Mr Lloyd said feedback from event managers and participants has been fantastic.

Swimming NZ Head of Participation and Events Dale Johnson said the national body and its competitors have been really impressed with the quality of the pool and infrastructure included within the facility.

"The facility has been perfectly designed to ensure efficient and safe running of large events that ensures everyone goes home with nothing but a positive experience."

New Zealand Olympic medalist Lewis Clareburt recently said, "The aquatic complex is the best of its kind in New Zealand; the 50 metre pool is really impressive while the broader offering such as resistance flume training, the high-performance fitness centre, café and hostel accommodation are second to none."

As part of the design brief, the Hawkes Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust wanted the world-class facility to be accessible for all.

This has seen the fit out include an accessible ramp in the learn to swim area; the installation of a pool pod imported from Scotland; and hoists to assist people with changing and getting into the pools.

HBCFCT founding trustee Bruce Mactaggart said the regional aquatic centre has well exceeded expectations in community use and for competitive events including national and regional swim meets and the emergence of a new sport to the region – Water Polo.

"Apollo Projects delivered on their promise to build a world class aquatic centre that can be used by everyone. We are particularly proud of the equipment that enables easy access for people with mobility issues. Also, the original scope for the build was delivered under budget and this enabled the addition of two hydrotherapy pools which are used for rehabilitation and therapeutic applications, as well as used by athletes for recovery and coaching purposes."