Auckland Council website.
This website has changed
This is the former Auckland City Council website, which has some of the information and services you need if you live or do business in the area. Go to the main Auckland Council website to access the complete range of council services.
Skip navigation
In this section
Plans, policies and reports
Plans, policies and reports

Swimming pool strategy

Contents | Introduction | Summary of issues | Council’s objectives for swimming pools | Planning framework and guiding principles | Provision | Management | Implementation | Appendices

Planning framework and guiding principles

Types of activities at swimming pools

The council recognises that there are a range of different needs and demands for swimming pool facilities across the city. Auckland has a large population spread across the isthmus, and a network of facilities is required to cater for the geographic catchments of the city. It is recognised that the location and design of a pool will predetermine the types of activities that can be offered and the geographic catchment it will serve.

Activity Definition
Free play Unstructured water fun and play
Aquatic entertainment (Interactive water play) Water play that requires special interactive water features, technology and/or equipment, eg wave pools, hydroslides, interactive toys
Fitness and health Fitness activities such as lane swimming, aqua-aerobics, aqua-jogging, aqua-walking and possibly dry fitness programmes and a fitness centre
Learning Learn-to-swim programmes, developing water confidence and safety
Sport training Training for competitive swimming, waterpolo, underwater hockey, multi sport and other water sports
Sport events Specialised facilities for competitions and events for swimming, waterpolo, under water hockey, multi-sport training and other water sports
Water therapy Therapeutic results from sitting in warm water (spas, saunas and steam rooms) or from undertaking exercises in water. A more specialist element can involve special water-based rehabilitation pools and equipment

Core activities for council swimming pools

It is difficult to provide for all activities at every pool, therefore priorities must be established. The council has identified that the priority for swimming pools is ensuring that everyone, and in particular children, has easy access. The aim is to ensure everyone can obtain basic water skills and confidence but also have a place for fun, enjoyment and fitness.

Core activity Amenities required
Free play Adequate free water space for playing, mostly un-structured, either indoor or outdoor
Learning A teaching pool, preferably separate, and a variety of water depths to build water confidence
Fitness and health A lap pool that provides sufficient space for lane swimming, aqua-aerobics, aqua-jogging, water-walking and/or dry fitness programmes and a fitness centre

Specialised facilities

The council recognises that there is demand for specialised aquatic facilities, but there only needs to be a few such facilities city-wide or region-wide. The council is looking to support or develop the following specialised facilities in conjunction with other parties (where appropriate).

Provision of specialist facilities in Auckland City

Specialised facility Activity Amenities  #  Pools
Indoor leisure pool Entertainment Combination of wave pool, interactive toys, slides and heated water 1 Philips Aquatic Centre
Outdoor leisure pools Free play or entertainment Outdoor pools preferably with the ability to heat. Could include slides or interactive toys. Also include picnic facilities 4 Parnell Baths
Pt Erin pool
Onehunga pool
Lagoon Leisure and Fitness Centre
Competition pool Sport events 25 metre pool, preferably 10 lanes, with spectator seating and administration facilities 1 Cameron pool
Deep-water pools Sport events/training 2 metre deep pools to cater for training and events for waterpolo, underwater hockey and swimming 4 Philips Aquatic Centre
Sacred Heart Aquatic
Cameron pool
Possibly Otahuhu
Specialised rehabilitation pool Water therapy Specialised warm pools that include special rehab equipment 1 Need and location to be investigated

Principles for developing swimming pools

  1. Maximise current potential by developing existing facilities as a priority.
  2. Only develop new facilities where there are gaps in the current network.
  3. Only support other facilities that complement the council’s network by either filling an identified gap or providing for a need that is unsatisfied within council’s network.
  4. Locate new facilities to maximise accessibility including walking distance, access to public transport, visually prominent and easy vehicular access.
  5. Take account of existing provision of swimming pools within Auckland city and region.
  6. Recognise the demographic profile and preferences of the local catchment in planning and designing new facilities or redeveloping existing facilities.
  7. Develop existing facilities to improve the provision of core activities or enable the facility to better serve its catchment.
  8. Always investigate sustainability options such as energy efficiency, water usage, financial sustainability, and use of renewable resources.
  9. Investigate and evaluate new innovations and trends in swimming pools as part of the planning of all new projects.
  10. Identify and evaluate partnership opportunities for development or operation.

 

Published September 2002