Cambridge locals have taken the plunge following the opening of the new Perry Aquatic Centre - Puna Kaukau o Te Oko Horoi.
Councillors, iwi, funders, board members, trustees and others closely linked to the pool project attended an official ribbon cutting and unveiling of a ceremonial plaque on Friday afternoon.
The pool was opened to the wider community the following day.
Waipā mayor Jim Mylchreest says the community have been waiting for the opening with enormous anticipation - and a degree of impatience too.
"If there is one thing I've learned as mayor, it is that these kinds of community projects generate a sense of controversy and excitement that a new wastewater plant or a new piece of road simply can't match," says Jim.
"Despite the fact that council, on behalf of the community, continues to invest the vast majority of its income on the perceived essential infrastructure services, I still firmly believe that it is community projects such as this that put the heart and soul into the community and make Waipā the fantastic place it is to live, work and play."
Jim acknowledged that despite massive efforts from those involved, the project had not been easy. To complicate matters further, the project team had to deal with a global pandemic.
"On the plus side, there's also the saying that 'good things take time'. And that's what we should focus on," says Jim.
He says the new complex will bring enjoyment and offer health, fitness and recreational opportunities to the people of Waipā for many years to come.
He was proud and thankful that the district has the ability, the willingness and the determination to deliver projects like the Cambridge pool in very testing times.
Jim thanked the many sponsors, partners and other local people that contributed to the pool. These include the Brian Perry Charitable Trust, after whom the complex is named, Trust Waikato, the Lotteries Grants Board, the Grassroots Trust, Frances Skeet Charitable Trust, APL, the Glenice and John Gallagher Foundation, Waipa Networks, C and R Developments Group, ASB Bank, the Lions Club of Cambridge, Shaws Wire Ropes, the Cambridge Arthritis Support Group, Shoof International, and Bayley's Real Estate.
The community-owned facility will be managed by the Waipā Community Facilities Trust, GoWaipā, which was established specifically to manage and operate the aquatic facilities across the district and ASB Stadium in Te Awamutu.
