Gisborne's public swimming pool complex, Olympic Pool, is located on Centennial Marine Drive opposite Midway Beach surf club.
Pool facilities open:
- 50m heated - 7 lane pool with a toddlers pool at one end.
These facilities are currently closed
- hot pool - indoor. Closed - out of order (waiting for a new water heater to arrive)
- 33m outdoor pool. Closed
- outdoor toddlers' pool with slide. Closed - reopen Labour Weekend
- dive pool with diving boards. Closed - reopen Labour Weekend
- 98m hydro-slide. Closed - reopen Labour Weekend
- BBQ facilities and playground, Closed - reopen Labour Weekend.
Note: The asbestos found in the 33m outdoor pool has been safely contained. The removal continues.
The indoor 50m pool overflow channels have been closed off with a resin sealant.
For information about what's on phone 867 6220 or email olympicpool@gdc.govt.nz
Pool opening hours
| Winter hours - 1 May to 31 August | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Friday | 6am - 8pm |
| Saturday and Sunday | 8am - 6pm |
| Public Holidays | 8am - 6pm |
| Summer hours - 1 September to 30 April | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Sunday | 6am - 8pm |
| Public Holidays | 8am - 6pm |
Costs - entry fee
| Admission | Price |
|---|---|
| adult swim - casual | $4.60 |
| child, student (with ID), senior citizen (65+) - casual | $3.50 |
| under 2yrs - swimmer nappy required | Free |
| spectator | $1.80 |
| aqua fitness class - general | $7 |
| Concession cards | Price |
| adult swim - 20 visits | $82.70 |
| child, student, senior citizen swim - 20 visits | $58.70 |
| aqua fitness, senior citizen 65+ - 10 sessions | $55.00 |
| Facilities | Price |
| hydro-slide pass | $5.20 |
| Hot pool | $5.70 |
| Swim and hot pool - day pass | |
| adult | admission + $3.50 |
| child, student, senior citizen | admission + $3.50 |
| Comet swim club members training session | |
| special admission fee for registered members |
Schedule of Olympic Pool Fees PDF, 458.19 KB
- $3.70 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 fund
What's happening at the pool
Note - the car park next to the pool complex is closed. Parking is available along Centennial Marine Drive and in the Midway car park.
The new pool complex redevelopment project is underway and the pool complex will remain open throughout construction so you have access to a pool.
See the pool redevelopment project for more information
We suggest you check with the pool team, phone (06) 867 6220 as there may be some times when normal classes are not available for short periods of time.
You can expect to see more new and exciting classes and programmes offered from March 2023.
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 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 - added accommodation (8 bunk bed cabins)
2007 - Gisborne earthquake caused some damage to outdoor pools
2008 - 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 initiated (dealing with unsupervised children at the pool complex)
2012 - renovation of pool canopy structure
2014 - upgraded 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.