Hamilton aquatic centre up 60,000 visitors, councillor keen for expansion or new facility

Surging popularity at Hamilton's premier aquatic centre has a local councillor pushing for an expansion or another facility altogether.

A recent warm spell forced Waterworld staff to move to a temporary one-in, one-out operating basis and the facility is already up 60,000 visitors on the same time last year.

The aquatic centre is set to get busier as temperatures rise, Hamilton City councillor Angela O'Leary told Local Democracy Reporting.

"We've been under capacity for swimming spaces for quite a few years now... even if we built a brand new facility somewhere else in the city tomorrow, the capacity would pretty much be filled out," O'Leary said.

"Myself personally and other counsellors, we're really keen on trying to look at not solving the problem but at how we can increase capacity, whether that be at Waterworld or a pool somewhere else.

"But, you know, they're not cheap things."

As the cost of living bites, taking the family on a day out to the pool becomes a more attractive option than alternatives like the cinema, O'Leary said.

Yet she acknowledged it can get "a bit scary" for people watching council throw millions of dollars at a facility while they struggle to buy a block of butter.

"What I witnessed in the weekend was carloads of families getting out and they had their picnic bags and they're hustling the kids... and they looked to me like they were going to spend the whole day there.

"It's critical to have these facilities in any city but particularly a fast-growing, inland city like ours that are affordable and accessible. I'd like to see us come out early next year with our consultation and with a couple of options and see what the residents think."

Waterworld's aquatics operations manager Shayla Whaiapu would welcome an extension, but remains firmly focussed on gearing up for what may be a record-breaking summer.

Reaching capacity in certain areas rather than the entire facility is typically what staff deal with, Whaiapu said.

They are trained to operate in ratios, she said.

"In our understanding we're reading it throughout the day and regular conversations are happening to trigger, is it safe? Do we have the space to put people so they can still enjoy the space as well?" Whaiapu said.

"What we have coming in is generally what we're able to service."

Training and on boarding new staff for summer is already underway, as well as preparations for the outdoor pool to open mid-November along with four summer partner pools.

"We've got Te Rapa Primary School, Hillcrest Normal School, Hamilton Boys High and Fairfield College," Whaiapu said, referencing the partner pools.

Staff are also trying to increase awareness of the Gallagher Aquatic Centre as a strong alternative if and when Waterworld nears its limits.

"We want [Waterworld] to be a space for all the community where everyone's welcome so we're trying to achieve it all," Whaiapu says.

"You'll have inflatable slides, a lot more services available for users to come in and have some fun. Our barbecue area's packed and there's parties that happen here and that comes with more people."