Commonwealth double gold medallist swimmer Lewis Clareburt will use the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre as part of his bid for Olympic gold in 2024.

Lewis trained for the first time at the new $32m facility late last week, training alongside upcoming Hawke’s Bay swimming talent Emma Godwin. He also spent the weekend at the aquatic centre, watching over a record 250 swimmers from over 20 clubs compete in the Greendale Swim Meet.

“The aquatic complex is the best of its kind in New Zealand; the 50 metre 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."

While visiting the complex, Lewis met with Hawke’s Bay Community Fitnesss Centre founding trustee Bruce Mactaggart and general manager David Nancarrow, hearing first hand of their vision for high performance opportunities and community participation.

“A facility is one thing but it’s really about the people and their ideas and after talking to Bruce and David, it was incredible to hear their vision for what can be achieved."

Lewis believes Hawke’s Bay swimmers now have a significant advantage over swimmers from other regions, predicting Hawke’s Bay has the potential to be create future Olympic champions.

“It’s taken swimming to a new level in New Zealand, the resources are amazing and it is certainly a venue that I am keen to visit often as part of my training plan.”

The aquatic centre also got the big thumbs up from organisers, swimmers and supporters at the Greendale Swim Meet, held at the weekend.

Greendale Meet Secretary Emma Taylor-Meynell said feedback has been incredibly positive and elevated a local club event to a bigger drawcard event.

“We usually get 4-6 clubs involved but the appeal of a new aquatic centre attracted many more competitors. The feedback has been that the facility is amazing and that the pool was very fast with many swimmers swimming personal bests."

“There were lots of happy kids and it was great to test the pool and the other facilities. The starter blocks, touch pad timing technology and the use of a dedicated control room helped create the atmosphere of a larger event."

“Swimmers could instantly see their times on the large screen and we could also use the screen to promote our sponsors, she said.

Photo:  Karl Wairama