A record 61,814 people visited EA Networks Centre in May, the highest monthly total since the centre opened in 2015.

Sport & Recreation manager Richard Wood said the previous record was in October 2023, when just over 56,000 people visited during a major basketball tournament.

“This May’s new record is based on the start of the netball season and consistently high use across the pool, stadium and gym facilities. We’re chuffed to have so many people through the doors and enjoying the space.”

EANC has a goal of 485,000 visitors for the 12 months ending 30 June 2024, and May’s record numbers will take the facility close to reaching its target.

Mr Wood said May and June were traditionally the busiest months with sports competitions and leagues, trainings and casual use peaking.

“We also have over 1000 children coming in each week for learn-to-swim lessons, as well as regular stadium use by schools including Ashburton Christian School, Borough School and the Intermediate. It’s peak time for netball and we’ve also seen some of our aquacise classes hitting large volumes of attendees.

The July school holiday programme is also proving popular, and has only limited spaces left.

Two basketball tournaments in September and October, including the South Island U14 Championships, are also expected to bring big numbers of players and spectators later in the year.