In 2004, the Richmond Aquatic Centre opened its doors to the public, marking the beginning of what would become a vital hub for fitness, recreation, and community in the Tasman District. Officially opened by then-Prime Minister Helen Clarke, the facility has since grown into a beloved institution, attracting thousands of visitors each year and earning numerous accolades along the way.
At the heart of the centre's success is Vaughan Hope and his exceptional team who are deeply commitment to the community. Under their guidance, the Richmond Aquatic Centre has become a cornerstone of local life. "Every member of staff who keeps the facility going is local,” says Vaughan.
“We've formed long-standing connections with our community and the people who walk through our doors. During the lockdowns, our team was on the phone with each of our members, checking in on them. The impact was felt on a large scale by us when we saw the queues of people that lined up when we were able to open again. For us, it showcases the meaningful role we play in the community and the importance this building holds."
Since its inception the facility has established a fully equipped fitness centre, an expansive aquatic centre, and a highly regarded swim school. But it is the people that make the facility such a unique place. “It is special because of the stories of the people who come through here. Seeing the changes in them and helping achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding. We are now seeing the next generation of people coming through - from those that visited when they were kids and now bring their own families in, to staff who have worked here for years, and now have family members on the team.”
The centre is a strong advocate for providing opportunities for youth and have become a bit of a hub for empowering young ones. “We are strong advocates for providing empowering opportunities for youth. It is great to see them start here as first-time employees, and it feels great for us to be able to offer positions for people to grow and thrive in. I believe we have the best team in the country with the best leadership team. They are high-performing self-motivated people who are passionate about shaping their future.”
The Richmond Aquatic Centre's commitment to excellence has not gone unnoticed. Recently the centre was honoured with several prestigious awards, including Shop of the Year, Fitness Centre of the Year, and Facility of the Year. "We have won the CLM Facility of the Year more times than any other in the country," Vaughan says proudly. "Each department holds its own very well, and we've won numerous awards across each sector."
One of the centre’s most significant achievements was being named the NZRA Pool of the Year, a title that is not based solely on size or visitor numbers but on a variety of factors, including community involvement. Each year, the centre hosts hundreds of fundraisers for various initiatives and organisations. With over 300,000 people passing through the doors annually, not including visitors, Vaughan estimates the real number to be closer to 450,000 each year. "What makes us unique is our deep connection with the community," explains Vaughan. "I could talk for hours about it. I think we are the coolest pool in New Zealand! We have people from all walks of life coming through our doors, for all sorts of different reasons. The centre very well-utilised, our goal is to keep delivering on what's important, and we are very proud that." Regularly collaborating with other businesses in the region remains an important factor for the facility, says Vaughan. "I believe that encouraging growth in experiences within our region gives people even more options to enjoy what we, as a whole, have to offer."
As they celebrate their 20th anniversary, Vaughan acknowledges the people who have made the journey possible. "I would like to thank everyone who has come through and supported us over the years. A big shout-out to my awesome team - they are simply amazing. To CLM for their ongoing knowledge and experience and the Tasman District Council (TDC) team is outstanding. They trust us in the things that we do, and that is a phenomenal feeling. I also want to extend a big thank you to the families of all the staff here."
Tony Strange is the conduit between the CLM Management Team and Tasman District Council, who works closely with Vaughan and his team, and says the Richmond Aquatic Centre is extremely important to our community and the region. “The Richmond Aquatic Centre is a fantastic facility. It’s a hub for people to visit and have a coffee, a place to help with health and wellbeing, a learning centre for our community to experience water safety and learning to swim. It has a great gym facility with experienced instructors who are passionate about what they do. It’s not only a place for people to use but it’s a facility that employs our people. Every time I go there its packed with happy friendly people that enjoy what our Partners CLM deliver - whether it’s a great coffee that Karyn and her team are known for, or to help with reaching fitness goals either in the pool or gym. There is so much that the CLM team contribute to that goes unseen, so for me it’s a pleasure to work with them.”
Looking ahead, the Richmond Aquatic Centre remains committed to its mission of serving the community and fostering a welcoming environment for all. With two decades of success behind them, Vaughan and his team are focused on the future. "Celebrating 20 years is a significant milestone. But our journey is far from over so watch this space!"
