Mayor Wayne Guppy and Councillors attended official opening of H20 Xtr
Published on 07 April 2025
Upper Hutt Celebrates the Official Opening of H20 Xtream with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
This morning, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the highly anticipated official opening of H20 Xtream, an integral community aquatic facility in Upper Hutt. At 6:00 am, Mayor Wayne Guppy and members of the Upper Hutt City Council and Upper Hutt community gathered to unveil the facility’s transformation, welcoming the public to experience the new upgrades.
For the past 26 years, H20 Xtream has been a cornerstone of the Upper Hutt community, serving as a hub for recreation, fitness, and family-friendly activities. The $55 million upgrade project, which officially commenced in 2022 and was first proposed to the Upper Hutt City Community in 2018 as part of a broader vision to enhance local infrastructure and community services.
“An upgrade to H20 Xtream was much needed,” says Mayor Wayne Guppy. “This project represents a fantastic enhancement for the community, offering a modern, sustainable facility that better meets the evolving needs of both our residents and visitors.”
The upgrade introduces several exciting features that will significantly improve the overall user experience:
- A new junior leisure pool, designed to offer a safe and fun environment for younger swimmers
- A complete rebuild and replacement of the hydroslide and tower, offering even more thrills for water park enthusiasts
- Extensive upgrades to the existing pool hall and changing rooms, enhancing comfort and functionality
- Replacement of pool plant, services, and equipment, ensuring smoother operations and a better overall experience
- The installation of an electric heat pump system to replace the previous gas system, alongside solar panels for energy efficiency
- Major improvements to the southern building, including an extension with an additional floor, new offices, and a modernised reception area
Group Manager of Community Services, Mike Ryan highlighted the significance of the project for Upper Hutt residents: “This upgrade is a key milestone in our city’s long-term vision for enhancing community infrastructure. It’s part of our 2018-2028 Long Term Plan, which aims to create spaces that support the growing needs of our community. We’re excited to see the positive impact this modernised facility will have for generations to come.”
The H20 Xtream upgrade exemplifies Upper Hutt City Council’s ongoing commitment to improving infrastructure, enhancing quality of life, and fostering community well-being and Mana Whenua and Ōrongomai Marae are pleased to contribute to the redevelopment of our community asset that also incorporates local narratives in bringing the past into the future