Overview

The situation

Sports and recreation are a big part of our lives. We live near the coast, so water recreation, boating and swimming are popular activities. Council provides two swimming pools (Katikati and Te Puke) for public use but they are old and not available for year - round use.

We’ve looked at what’s currently provided and received feedback from the community.

The proposal

We’ve considered what should reasonably be provided for the sports and recreational needs of our communities, both now and for the future.

We want to upgrade our pools so that they continue to provide for our recreational needs now and in the future.

To read Council's Proposed Level of Service for Swimming Pools, select here.

Project details

We’ve developed a 30-year investment plan for swimming pools.

We considered some key factors:

• Both pools are old - Te Puke Memorial Pools opened in 1961 and Dave Hume Pool in Katikati opened in 1963. Over the years maintenance work has been done, but this has largely been only for minor renewals or in response to breakdowns.
• The population of the District is growing and there will be increasing demand for recreational opportunities within our towns.
• The Te Puke pool is on land leased from Te Puke High School. The lease expires in 2027. In addition, the pool’s plant system is struggling to meet water treatment standards.
• The Dave Hume Pool in Katikati is in good condition for its age.
• There will be significant population growth in Omokoroa, so planning ahead for recreational facilities to service a town of 12,000+ people is essential.

For the next 10 years, the proposed investment plan is:

• Year One (2022): Te Puke Memorial Pool - Council funding of $300,000 for repairs and improvements to keep the existing pool operational until the new facility is built.
• Years One to Two (2022 and 2023): Dave Hume Pool - installation of a new fabric roof to provide an indoor pool facility until a new indoor pool facility is constructed in 2040. This has an estimated cost of $1.5 million. A further $500,000 is required for some of the plant equipment to support year round swimming pool operations.
• Year Two (2023): Land purchase in Omokoroa, for a new swimming pool to be built post-2040.
• Year Five (2026): Te Puke Memorial Pool - new replacement pool facility at a new location - proposed within the first five years of the 2021-2031 LTP. The pool would be owned and operated by Council and would include:
  • 8-lane 25m pool
  • learn to swim / programme pool
  • leisure / family pool
  • spectator seating
  • arrival / reception / admin / retail
  • toilets, changing rooms and accessible changing rooms
  • toilets.

What do you think?

Have a read through both options and then have your say below.