New Zealand Dedicates Pool Complex to Late Graham Condon

The Graham Condon Leisure pool complex officially opened in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Sunday (9 October), named after the late Paralympian and city councillor, Graham Condon.

The $13-million recreation and sport centre at Papanui High School was built to help the city’s depleted pool stock after the closure of the earthquake-damaged Queen Elizabeth II Park centre and the inner-city Centennial complex.

The new complex has an eight-lane, 25-metre indoor pool, a spa pool, a learner’s pool, a toddler’s pool, a sports hall and a fitness centre. It is also easily accessible for wheelchair users.

Mayor Bob Parker said it was a “fitting tribute” for Condon, a seven-time Paralympic medallist in Athletics and Swimming who was killed while riding his handcycle in 2007.

Condon’s widow, Katy Condon, said the opening brought mixed emotions.

“It’s a huge legacy,” she said. “The (Condon) name’s going to be around for a while.”

Condon won gold in the Discus at the Heidelberg 1972 Paralympic Summer Games and the Arnhem 1980 Paralympic Summer Games. He won silver in the Alpine Skiing slalom event at the Geilo 1980 Winter Games and bronze in both the slalom and the Marathon at the 1984 New York Winter and Summer Games, respectively. He capped off his career with a silver in the slalom at the Seoul 1988 Winter Games.