New starting blocks set to benefit whole community

The Blenheim Swimming Club has plenty to celebrate - both in and out of the water.

Hot on the heels of the success of the club’s premier swimmers at the New Zealand short course champs is a major upgrade to the pool facilities at Stadium 2000.

Upgraded starting blocks have been placed at the end of the 25m racing pool, offering a chance for the local swimmers to train and become familiar with the blocks that are used at the bigger venues.

BSC member Grant Lovell said, “the main advantage [of the new blocks] is that they have a much larger surface area than the older blocks and an adjustable track stand to allow more power from the starts. They also sit higher above the water.

“The ability to train and have local races on the same standard of block that is used for all major competitions will significantly benefit the swimmers in the future,” he suggested.

“Blenheim has one of the best 25m pools in the country and the new blocks complete the set up.”

Grant said the installation at Stadium 2000 provided some challenges as it has such a small bulkhead, much smaller than most pools.

“A bulkhead replacement was going to be very expensive, complicated and require a long pool closure, so we needed an alternative solution.

Robinsons Construction designed the 10mm stainless-steel platforms that allow the new blocks to be cantilevered off the back of the bulkhead. These work perfectly and have been engineer-certified to handle the forces that will be put on them, meaning that a new bulkhead wasn't required, significantly reducing disruption to the facility as well as the cost to install,” he said.

“The blocks are an upgrade that the whole community can benefit from,” added Grant.

The local club have worked hard over the past 12 months to raise the necessary funds for the upgrade, through quiz nights, raffles and a raft of generous local donors and businesses, including other pool users. They will donate the blocks to the stadium.

Leading swimmer Nicola Lovell, a three-time national age group champion, is delighted to see the new starting blocks installed.

“The last ones were quite small, and slippery … starts are so important, especially in the sprint races,” she added.

Glen Findlay, a Nelson South and Swimming New Zealand coach, said, “The Stadium 2000 pool has always been regarded by swimmers and coaches nationwide as an exceptionally fast pool, primarily due to its depth, wide lanes, and quality lane lines.

“The introduction of these new, state-of-the-art starting blocks will further enhance performance, enabling swimmers to enter the water faster and at a more optimal angle. I believe this upgrade will establish it as the fastest short course pool in the country, significantly benefiting swimming in the South Island," said Glen.

Shane Skehan, the Blenheim Swimming Club coach said it gave the local club a welcome boost. “Having access to national-standard starting blocks for local training and racing gives our swimmers the proper equipment they need to excel on the bigger stage," he added.

Lowri McNabb, BSC president, said, "We are delighted to have completed the installation after working on this project for a long time.

“We have always enjoyed hosting meets here in Blenheim, and the addition of the new starting blocks will make attending swimming events here even more attractive for visiting teams and regions.

“Unlike many pools, the blocks will be uncovered and open to the public, so we just ask that people treat them with care.”

A spokesperson for Blenheim Masters swimmers, who also contributed to the cost of the new blocks, noted, “these blocks don’t just benefit competitive swimmers — they lift the whole community by making the pool suitable for hosting higher-level events, attracting more visitors, and inspiring the next generation of swimmers.

“They make a real difference for everyone — from young swimmers learning the sport, to club members competing, and to us as masters enjoying our training. Having FINA-standard blocks means the pool can host bigger events, which brings our community together and inspires more people to get involved in swimming.”

Jack Foley, operations manager at Stadium 2000, added, “It’s a great initiative led by the Blenheim Swim Club, working together to enhance the experience for our community. Continuous improvement is something we value highly — whether it’s through upgrading our equipment, supporting our community clubs, or providing the best environment possible for everyone who uses the centre.”

The Blenheim Swimming Club would like to thank the following community-minded businesses and organisations for their generous support of this local Marlborough project: Rai Silviculture, Forsyth Barr, Harcourts Marlborough, Blenheim Masters Swimming, Redwood Trust, Churchill Trust, PaknSave and Gascoigne Wicks.