New Recreation Centre
A state-of-the-art new home for Sport and Recreation and social hub for the University community.
What's being built?
More than just a gym, more than just a sports centre, more than just a hangout space – the new Recreation Centre will be all these things and more right in the heart of City Campus. It will provide more opportunities than ever before for students, staff and the greater community to get active, support their wellbeing, make new friends and gather together.
The 21,000 square metre facility will include:
- Aquatics hall with 8-lane swimming pool, dive tank, spa pool and sauna
- Rooftop with panoramic city and harbour views featuring multi-sport turf as well as track, workout and hangout zones
- Gym with large cardio and weights zones
- Two sports halls including one with glass floor and LED markings for easy multi-sport usage
- Bouldering wall
- Squash courts
- Numerous large group exercise studios
- Specialised group exercise studios including a boxing dojo
- Thoughtfully-designed “chill” spaces
- Café and retail outlet
- Indoor and outdoor multi-purpose event spaces
Why?
The University recognises the key role that sport and recreation plays in the wellbeing and success of our students and staff. We’re committed to maximising the opportunities for students and staff to play sport, keep fit and have fun whilst studying and working at the University of Auckland.
The old Recreation Centre located on Symonds St was built in 1978 when the University had 10,000 students studying on campus. Today the University has approximately 46,000 students and more than 5,000 staff. The old facility was at capacity and was no longer able to maximise sport, recreation and wellbeing opportunities for the University community.
In planning for this facility, we have widely consulted, over several years, with students, staff and existing Recreation Centre members as to what facilities they believe are important for the University to provide. The new building has taken this feedback into consideration, and we’ve created something we think students will love.
When and where will it open?
The Recreation Centre is currently estimated to open in late 2024. The new facility is under construction at the site of the old Recreation Centre on Symonds Street.
Our existing Sport and Recreation services will move to the new building at this time, and we’re excited to offer everything we currently do plus more.
More FAQ
When can I buy a membership?
Memberships for our current facility are available here. If you have an active membership at the time the new facility opens, it will automatically transition over. Membership information for the new facility will be available after the opening date is confirmed.
How can I book in to use the facilities for an event?
We’re not currently accepting bookings, however you can get in touch with recbookings@auckland.ac.nz and we’ll notify you when we have bookings open.
Is there a Rec Centre/gym/sports courts available now?
Yes, we have an interim Rec Centre located at 70 Stanley St and interim Sports Centre at 5-7 Wynward St.