Alpine Aqualand manager Cam Sheppard told a crowd of about 50 invited guests the predicted patronage of the $18 million aquatic centre in its first 12 months had been 123,000.
"Really, we have only scratched the surface."Mr Sheppard said there had been a "phenomenal" turnout from the community to support the facility.
A total of 2250 primary school children had taken part in water safety lessons at the centre in the last three school terms.
Lakes Leisure chief executive Fiona McKissock said the patronage had exceeded expectations, but the staff and board of the council-owned organisation were indebted to the four members of the Pool Trust 2000, who began working on the vision for the centre in 1996.
Warwick Goldsmith, Vicky Hill, Barry Robertson and Alex Dickson worked over an eight-year period, consulting the council and the community to try to provide the multi-use facility for future generations.
In 2004, the Queenstown Aquatic Centre Working Party took up the group's vision and opened the doors to Alpine Aqualand in 2008.
"A lot of you have put in a lot of hours and it's thanks to you we have this wonderful facility today," Ms McKissock said.
"The Queenstown Events Centre opened in 1997.
Now, with the aquatic centre, this is really a multi-functional facility, which we are very lucky to have here in Queenstown.
"It's the best sports facility we could possibly have here in Queenstown.
"This is a place for our future generations," Ms McKissock said.
She said the first 12 months had seen "a lot of challenges" and the pace had been "really fast", but she was privileged to be in the role of CEO, working with Lakes Leisure and the "great team" which served the community.
Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Clive Geddes said there had been 12 years of effort from a relatively small group of people to turn the idea of Alpine Aqualand into reality.
"For the Remarkables Centre, we probably need about 300 people and another 20 years and we'll have what we want."
Mr Geddes thanked the board and staff for their efforts since Lakes Leisure was founded and since Alpine Aqualand had opened.
Many members of the Lakes Leisure board had moved from the private sector to the public one, which was a "reality check".
"Working in the public eye, for the public, was like jumping into the pool that was full of cold, icy water and the reality check you got when you realised . . . your client is the community at large and you're subject to scrutiny.
"You adjusted to that, in my view, in an exceptional way.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing Lakes Leisure develop as a company . . . [finding] what it is we need for the sport and recreation facilities going into the future . . . and how we put those things in place and make the best possible use of them.
"I'd like to sincerely thank you from the council . . .
We all look forward to being able to progress the work that you're doing in the next 10 years."
