The Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre’s reception area will be undergoing an upgrade next week, during which time an alternative entrance will be in place. The main entrance will be closed for the duration of the work, with the alternative entrance being set up at the western end of the building, opposite the Whakatāne Athletic and Harrier Club building.

Whakatāne District Council Aquatics and Recreation Manager Lee Colquhoun says the work will commence on Monday, 10 September, with the main entrance is expected to reopen on Monday, 8 October.

"The upgrade is chiefly to address the congestion that is currently experienced in the reception area,” he says. “There will also be some configuration to create a space for a resident physiotherapist."

"Aquatic Centre staff appreciate that this work will cause some inconvenience, but it will lead to an improved experience for aquatic centre users, so we are asking all our regular customers to bear with us during the work programme."