Olympic pool
Note: Pool Closed
The Pool is closed until the end of May. In the wake of Covid-19, this decision was made to keep staff and the community safe as we could not ensure that social distancing of at least one metre between people could be maintained. Read the full media release(external link)
Gisborne Olympic pools are located on Centennial Marine Drive opposite Midway Beach. The complex has 7 separate pools: ♦ 50m - 7 lane pool ♦ 33m outdoor pool ♦ dive pool with diving boards ♦ 98m hydro-slide ♦ outdoor toddlers pool with slide ♦ therapy pool
For information about what's on phone 867 6220 or email olympicpool@gdc.govt.nz
Pool opening hours
| Summer hours - 1 September to 30 April | Open |
| Monday - Sunday | 6am - 8pm |
| Public Holidays | 8am - 6pm |
| Winter hours - 1 May to 31 August | Open |
| Monday - Friday | 6am - 8pm |
| Saturday - Sunday | 8am - 6pm |
| Public Holidays | 8am - 6pm |
Lane allocation timetable
We have 14 lanes but from Monday to Friday between 3.30pm - 6.30pm some lanes are booked for training.
Visit the lane availability page
Costs
| Admission | Price |
| adult swim - casual | $4.40 |
| child, student (with ID), senior citizen (65+) - casual | $3.40 |
| under 2yrs - swimmer nappy required | free |
| spectator | $1.70 |
| aqua fitness class - general | $6.80 |
| Concession cards | Price |
| adult swim - 20 visits | $80.80 |
| child, student, senior citizen swim - 20 visits | $57.30 |
| aqua fitness, senior citizen 65+ - 10 sessions | $55.00 |
| Facilities | Price |
| hydro-slide pass | $5.00 |
| Therapy pool | $5.50 |
| Swim and therapy pool - day pass | |
| adult | admission + $3.40 |
| child, student, senior citizen | admission + $3.40 |
| Comet swim club members training session | |
| special admission fee for registered members |
For a full list of Fees and Charges [PDF, 454 KB]
About swipe cards
- $3.60 to purchase a swipe card
- swipe cards are for regular pool users
- swipe cards that are not used for more than 6 months become invalid
- invalid swipe cards cannot be reactivated and will be deleted from the system - there are no refunds on funds
BBQ facilities
We have 4 gazebos available for $58.90 each all day hire - booking is essential. Ask us about discounted group admission.
The history of our pool complex
1974 - opening of the Gisborne Olympic Pool Complex
1983 - 98m hydroslide added
1992 - bbq and entertainment areas developed
1994 - toddlers pool slide added
1995 - main pool - canopy structure – commencement of all year use
1996 - spa and therapy hot pools installed
1997 - ‘bulkhead’ pool divider installed in main pool
1999 - alterations to administration block
2002 - new children's playground installed
2002 - major repairs to fix leaks in 50m pool
2007 - establishment of group accommodation (8 bunk bed cabins) and renovation of Churchill Park camping ground facilities
2007 - Gisborne earthquake caused some damage to outdoor pools
2008 - Olympic Pool joins ACC PoolSafe Quality Management Scheme and is accredited with ‘PoolSafe’ status
2009 - leaking pools repaired (earthquake damage)
2009 - installed 4 designated BBQ areas
2010 - installed new 400kW wood chip boiler for pool water heating (replacing gas boiler)
2010 - Whanau Fun Day event attended to by 2000+ people
2011 - PoolAlone project initiated (dealing with unsupervised children at the pool complex)
2012 - renovation of pool canopy structure
2014 - upgraded the filtration system to improve water quality. Shade sails and canopy installed.
The Gisborne Olympic Pool Complex is a true community pool; many great fundraising efforts were held in the community and donations were made by various trusts and groups, which greatly assisted Council to establish this facility in 1974.
Like many other public pools in New Zealand, our facility was build in the early 1970s as an outdoor facility, to be used for the summer season only and shut down in winter.
Over the years, the demands for aquatic activities grew and new facilities were added.
Today, over 150,000 visits to the facility are recorded every year.