Wānaka Recreation Centre celebrates 10 years of community connection and movement

Wānaka Recreation Centre is gearing up for a major milestone next month, notching up 10 years of community connection and 2 million visits.

Since opening on 7 July 2016, the centre has been at the heart of how Wānaka moves, plays and connects. From competitive swimmers to sport leagues, to group fitness, to social and competitive sport, learn to swim school, and of course aquatic programmes, the WRC has provided a year-round home for the community across the Upper Clutha.

To mark the milestone, Queenstown Lakes District Council is launching a 10-year anniversary campaign – 10 years, 2 million stories – celebrating the people who have shaped the facility and the role it has played in everyday life.

Stories about the centre will be shared throughout the year in the lead-up to a big community event in February 2027. QLDC will share these stories via social media channels and the QLDC website. They’ll focus on memorable visits and why WRC is such a special place.

Allan Wainwright, WRC manager, said the milestone reflected the growing Upper Clutha community.

“10 years feels significant, but what really stands out when you look back is the sheer variety of stories this place holds. Families have grown up with WRC as kids that were once in learn to swim classes are now playing competitive sport and are approaching adulthood.

Clubs that started small have grown into major parts of the community’s sporting life. WRC has been at the centre of all this growth and we’re lucky be part of it.”

Kenneth Bailey, community services general manager, said it’s very much a celebration of community as WRC turns 10.

“A facility like this doesn’t become what WRC has become without the community buying in and using it to the tune of two million visits. Council made a significant investment a decade ago because we believed Wānaka needed a community recreation facility set within a world-class landscape and environment.

To have two million visits since opening is incredible and shows what’s possible when you build something genuinely for your community and they show up for it,” he said.

As well as sharing stories of the past 10 years, WRC is also offering an exclusive promotion running from 7 July to 7 August 2026:

Anyone purchasing a fixed-term membership will receive an extra month free

All 10 visit passes purchased at WRC will include an extra visit free!

To redeem the offer, visit our customer service staff at Wānaka Recreation Centre.

A major community celebration event is also planned for Saturday 13 February 2027. The event will be a full community day open to all. The full event programme details will be confirmed later in 2026.

ENDS | KUA MUTU

Media contact: 03 441 1802

communications@qldc.govt.nz

FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri

Community celebration event — 13 February 2027

A major community celebration event is planned for Saturday, 13 February 2027, marking the centrepiece of the 10-year anniversary campaign. The event will be a full community day open to members, sports clubs, families and the wider Wānaka public, with a programme designed to showcase the breadth of activity and community life that has defined the centre over the past decade.

Full event programme details will be confirmed later in 2026. The community is encouraged to follow WRC's social media channels and website for updates as the celebration takes shape.

WRC Construction and opening photos available on request