The Regional Aquatic Centre team is starting to take shape as the $32 million complex moves closer to opening in August.

The familiar face at EIT Institute of Sport and Health, Nathan Manu is taking on the responsibility for the day to day management of the aquatic centre, while experienced Learn to Swim manager Harshi Dassanayake will lead the region’s newest Learn to Swim programme.

Nathan has been involved with the EIT Institute of Sport and Health since 2017, establishing a physiotherapy clinic – The Movement Co, with wife Hannah, then managing the Sport & Health Clinic before stepping up to developing the Royston Health & Fitness Centre, and now managing the entire facility.

“It’s been an exciting journey seeing the facility grow and grow as well as the overall Mitre 10 Sports Park. We’re now about to celebrate more major milestones with the expansion of the Sports Hall, the completion of a 72 bed hostel as well as the largest regional aquatic centre in New Zealand. It’s a busy time, as we finalise our learn to swim programme, appoint up to 30 new staff including lifeguards and swim instructors and administration support and start filling the pools with water."

Nathan says it’s great to have Harshi appointed into the vital lead role of the Learn to Swim Programme, and start to prepare to offer programmes across people of all ages, in a purpose built 25 metre pool.

Harshi has moved from Auckland to take up the role, previously working at Swim Gym.

The aquatic centre will be the home of water sports in Hawke’s Bay, boasting a 50m Olympic Pool with 10 lanes and a bulk-head which enables the pool to be split into two 25m pools, the Learn to Swim pool, seating for 1300 spectators and two hydrotherapy pools for injury recovery.

“We will now have the only indoor heated 50m pool in Hawke’s Bay which provides a great opportunity for our local swimmers to train in an Olympic pool."

The Sun Devils swim club with former Olympic swimmer Willie Benson as head coach will be based at the complex, while other local clubs such as Aquahawks, Greendale and Trojans will also use the pool for long distance training.  The pools will also be used by Tri HB and Waimarama Surf Lifesaving Club and the newly formed Hawke’s Bay Water Polo including Flipper Ball for the kids.

Already some key events have been booked in, such as regional long course champs in December and the New Zealand Water Polo Masters in October.

Schools will also be able to host their swimming sports and the pool has a pod hoist for disabled swimmers.

Harshi says lessons on offer will range from water confidence with infants right through to adult beginners to competitive.

“We will also run water safety classes for kids and schools, which we hope will make an impact in combating our drowning statistics.”

The two state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pools can be used for rehabilitation such as stroke rehabilitation, lower limb injuries, back injuries, pain management and include an underwater treadmill and underwater bike. They can also be used as a training tool as they are installed with propulsion flumes that can be used for swimming analysis.

Nathan and the team are working through the final details of pricing – including pool memberships and combined memberships with the other facilities including the fitness centre.

Article added: Wednesday 25 May 2022