HAMILTON SWIMMING CLUB HISTORY

The pool complex was opened in 1912 and is now the oldest surviving civic facility in Hamilton. It is also the oldest surviving in ground pool in New Zealand, and possibly the south pacific.

Following the completion of the Waterworld Te Rapa complex, in the late 1970's, the then City Council planned on demolishing the pool facility. However a stay of execution allowed the Hamilton Swimming Club to take over its administration and running through to today.

Over those 20 years plus, the club has spent over a half a million NZ dollars in today value, through fund raising, sweat equity, donations, sponsorship and grants from organisations such as; Trust Waikato and WEL Energy Trust and their predecessors.

We acknowledge the efforts of past and present club members and supporters who have fought and worked to keep "The Municipal Pools" open to both the public and the swimming club. On average over those years we have provided for around 32,000 swimmers per year.

Today we see a refurbished complex with the Hamilton City Council recently spending NZ$233,000. This money we all feel is money well spent. We trust that this will be reflected in greater community participation due to both the better public image with the removal of the solid fence at street level.

At the pools opening in 1912 the first event held in the pool featured the Manning Handicap Race. The competitors in this event are our clubs top swimmers whose starts are handicapped to provide a theoretical dead heat finish on personal best seed times. This event continues to this day as part of the Hamilton Swimming Club's Club Championships.