A public sauna for Tokoroa.
The sauna in the new wellness area at the South Waikato Aquatic Centre, reopened in October 2026.
The South Waikato Aquatic Centre in Tokoroa reopened on 3 October 2026 after a 19-month, $17 million redevelopment. Hundreds of locals turned up for the big day, and one of the new drawcards is the wellness area: two spa pools, a cold plunge, and a FinnSauna sauna.
Like all our builds, it started in the workshop. We made the L-shaped benches in Auckland and test-fitted them before they ever left the building. Meanwhile, on site, the room was framed, insulated and foil-lined by the main contractor.
Then our benches went in, followed by a big stainless Narvi heater loaded with Kerkes stones. Heat, a cold plunge next door and a spa to finish: not a bad way to spend an afternoon in Tokoroa.
A tough, good-looking sauna for a busy public pool, built for heavy daily use.
Built for a busy public pool.
The sauna
- Benches built and test-fitted in our Auckland workshop
- Two-tier, L-shaped benches
- Large stainless Narvi commercial heater with Kerkes stones
- Part of a new wellness area with spa pools and a cold plunge
The build, photographed.
Same seven stages as every build.
Design and planning
Material selection
Frame and insulation
Wall and ceiling lining
Benching and detailing
Heater and tiling
Final fit-out and handover
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