Council starts community conversation on future of Taumarunui pool

Council wants Taumarunui locals to share their views on what they think and feel about the future of their outdoor public pool at a special community meeting on Wednesday 18 October starting at 5.30pm in the Council Chamber.

The pool, which started leaking after the November 2016 Kaikoura earthquake was unable to open last summer and will be closed again this year while a decision is made on its future.

Taumarunui-Ohura Ward Committee (TOWC) Chairperson Karen Ngatai said that the TOWC took the difficult decision not to spend the estimated $35,000 on repair work on the pool to enable it to open this summer.

“The TOWC appreciates that there could be criticism that this decision will impact on some members of our community as well as local schools that utilized the pool for their swim events,” she said.

“We would have loved to have just said ‘fix it’ and not worry about the cost.”

“We understand that there are potential social implications to this decision however, not opening the pool this summer will save around $80,000 and will allow Council to start the conversation with the community around the future of the pool.”

“With limited ratepayer funds we need to find a balance between prudent financial management and maintaining services that help contribute to the quality of life for our residents.”

“Council will provide subsidised cost of entry to the Trust Waikato Community Pool and may consider putting on a free daily bus service from the Taumarunui playground during the school holidays.”

Mrs. Ngatai noted that the ultimate decision on the future of the Taumarunui pool will be made in consultation with the community as part of next year’s Long Term Plan 2018-2028 discussion.

“Before then the TOWC would like to see as many people as possible with a view, or an interest, in the future of the Taumarunui pool attend the community meeting on Wednesday 18 October.”

“We especially want to hear from our youth and young people about what they think should happen,” she said.

“The Ruapehu Youth Council (RYC) are holding a special discussion on the pool, its issues, options, and value to the community on Monday 2 October as part of their next meeting.”

“The RYC will be attending the Wednesday 18 October and encouraging their peers to come along and have their say.”

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