So I'm a very happy Ocean Spa customer and ex-staff member. I worked under the old management and during the refurb. As such, I'm in a unique position to see what underinvestment in a treasured asset can do and how much effort it takes to turn that inertia around.

Things have taken some time to bed in, but persistence and consistent standards are paying off. The attentive lifeguard teams are well run by the TLs and overseen by an industry legend. The pump room has undergone significant improvement in terms of automatic dosing for sanitation and ph and I can see, feel and taste the difference.

The general vibe of the place has improved markedly. Professional receptionists stop a lot of problems at the door by diplomatic education and a firm-but-fair approach. Poolside, it's a safe, welcoming and non-threatening environment for those who want to be part of something great while discouraging people who feel the rules don't apply to them...'bout time.

But let's not forget that this facility has operated for 20 years give or take. It takes grit, dogged determination and investment to keep an aging asset going, especially a pool complex floating on an ever-moving tectonic plate. There will always be plant issues as infrastructure breaks and only Council has the resources to keep the place running. Yep, it takes money, local money but you don't chuck Nana out on the street just because she's costing you more. Take a swim in the lap pool or glance to your right under the stairs as you enter the pools and you'll see stainless steel plaques bearing testament to local legends who put their money where their togs were. Some were the high rollers of the day but many were ratepayers like you and me just wanting to do the city proud.

The original vision for Ocean Spa 2.0 was to be the Jewel of Napier and a Mecca for tourists, especially the cruise ship crowd. That always made me wince a little. Covid showed us how important it is to look after your core base of customers when those ships stop coming. Sure, OS is no longer a place where entitled dinosaurs march around like they own the place but let's not confuse that with looking after the locals. Customers are getting treated with a mixture of respect and a firm hand, and I'm only one of many who want to be part of that community.

Well done, Ocean Spa. Happy New Year!