At the Council meeting held Wednesday 30 April 2025, Rangitīkei District Council decided on a path forward for reopening the Marton Swim Centre.

Council have opted to do basic repairs to get the pool open as soon as possible. These repairs include replacing the roof, earthquake strengthening the Marton Swim Centre building to a minimum 67 percent of New Building Standards, and replacing or upgrading assets that are nearing end of life.

Council’s preference is look at new innovations, such as replacing the iron roof with one that lets daylight into the facility, whilst maintaining the structural integrity of the building.

At the meeting, Councillors unanimously recognised that the Marton Swim Centre is important to Rangitīkei, and that it should be made available as soon as possible. While the total cost of repairs is yet to be finalised, the operational budget that is normally allocated to the Marton Swim Centre may be absorbed into the overall budget for the project.

In addition, a private funder has approached Council with an offer to contribute to repair works.

While Council’s decision gives certainty for residents of the swim centre’s future, the consent process and current availability of potential contractors may mean that it will remain closed until the middle of 2026 at the earliest.

In the meeting, Council noted that the prolonged closure of the pool will be frustrating for residents, especially for many who rely on the facility during the summer season.

“Staff will continue to work with our swimming centre contractors, Community Leisure Management (CLM) on alternative swimming and recreation options for the 2025/26 summer swim season. With a clear direction from Council, we now have time to plan for the upcoming season,” says Rangitīkei District Council Chief Executive, Carol Gordon.

Staff will now work with engineering contractors, Create Architects & Engineers, to determine the final scope of the work needed at the swim centre based on the resolution from Council. Councillors will be presented with finalised design options and cost estimates at an upcoming meeting, before a call for tender is put out.

Residents can keep track of this project’s progress via our website, social media and in regular printed publications.

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