PAK’nSAVE Hastings today announced a $1 million partnership with the Hawke’s Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust to ensure affordable and increased access to the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre.

HBCFCT commercial manager Greg Howie said the sponsorship announcement is a significant milestone in the longstanding partnership between the Smith family and PAK’nSAVE Hastings in promoting sport, health, and wellbeing in the region.

He praised the financial commitment of Brendon Smith and his parents, David and Pam Smith, who have made a total contribution of over $2 million to the Mitre10 Regional Sports Park, supporting various sporting facilities since 2017.

“We can’t underestimate the significance of this latest $1 million five-year sponsorship contribution by Brendon Smith,” said Mr Howie.

“It helps us to keep our facility costs down, which in turn keeps user prices down and greatly supports water safety in our community.”

In light of the partnership, the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre will now be named the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre Powered by PAK’nSAVE Hastings.

Brendon Smith, owner and operator of PAK’nSAVE Hastings, emphasises the importance of providing access to water sports, learn-to-swim programs, and water safety for all members of the community, especially those from lower-income backgrounds.

“It’s vitally important that our young children are confident in water and if we can make this amazing facility more accessible, then it will go some way to improving wellbeing outcomes as well as save lives,” said Mr Smith.

“For PAK’nSAVE Hastings and our team, we are committed to supporting the community we live in and see the many positive outcomes from supporting the aquatic centre and the other sport facilities at the regional sports centre.”

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre Powered by PAK’nSAVE Hastings boasts a FINA rated 50-metre competitive pool, a 25-metre learn-to-swim pool, and the Mactaggart Hydrotherapy Centre.

The facility recently hosted the New Zealand Age Group Swimming Championships and is set to host several upcoming national swimming events, including the 2023 New Zealand Short Course Swimming Championship in August and the New Zealand Swimming Championships and New Zealand Age Group Swimming Championships in April 2024, which will serve as the final trial for the squad selection 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

HBCFCT chairman Iain Taylor said visitor use in the first six months has already exceeded projected targets, at more than double the users.

“We’re thrilled with the number of users, and we are already seeing the benefit of a world class facility that has attracted record use from learn to swim programmes, competitive swimming and the introduction of new sports to the region such as water polo.

The Sun Devils Swimming Club has seen record growth in membership, and the recently established Hawke’s Bay Water Polo programme has already attracted overwhelming participation from both schools and adults in the region.

Our partnership with PAK’nSAVE Hastings and the Smith family has been instrumental in helping us provide accessible, affordable, and quality sporting facilities to our community.

 We are deeply grateful for their continued support and commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and wellbeing in the Hawke’s Bay region,” Mr Taylor said.