​Cambridge aquatic centre wins urban design award

Waipā District Council has won a key urban design award for the Perry Aquatic Centre Puna Kaukau o Te Oko Horoi Development in Cambridge.

The pool complex won the Central Property People Awards for Urban Design award ahead of five other entries last night. The awards are run by the Property Council New Zealand and celebrate the people behind key property projects.

Judges recognised the project team’s utilisation of urban design best practice and said the facility provides a key recreational offer for a landlocked community,

“Swimming is second nature for New Zealanders,” judges said. “The pool complex serves as an inspiration to other communities, reminding us to take opportunities to provide a great facility and also incorporate latest technology, design elements, connections and collaboration.”

Waipa mayor Susan O’Regan said the win was an outstanding achievement for the whole community which had embraced the pool complex and made it a roaring success. She noted the massive contribution made by groups like the Cambridge Lions and other fundraisers, and also acknowledged the pivotal role of the Perry Group.

“This is truly a community facility, and worth every cent of the investment made by Council and others. It has been designed to meet the needs of our community now and for years to come; this was a major focus for the many people involved in bringing the development to life,” O’Regan said.

“It’s great to see good work and good design acknowledged and to see a community facility right up there in terms of design excellence.”

The aquatic facility includes a 25-metre indoor pool, 50m outdoor pool, toddler pool, multi-use hydrotherapy pool, sauna and spa pool. The facility opened in May 2021 and is managed on behalf of Council by the Waipā Community Facilities Trust.

For more information on the Awards, visit www.propertynz.co.nz/property-people-awards/central