Welcome to the Motueka Swimming Pool Fundraising Site
A public pool for Motueka has inched a step closer with the Tasman District Council finally receiving a long awaited feasibility study on the project and discussing options to buy land for the facility.
In a full council meeting on Thursday, councillors heard that the feasibility study highlighted a change from what was originally proposed, which was a four-lane facility.
The study found that that would not meet the needs of the Motueka community particularly in the long term, and a six-lane main pool, together with other pools was what was required. Former council reserves and facilities manager Richard Hollier presented the study. It said a complex, with an estimated cost of $16.4 million, would have a six lane pool, a larger hydrotherapy pool and spa pool, a separate teaching/leisure pool, and pool access ramps.
The pool would come forward as a priority project in the long term plan 2024 -2034, Hollier said. In terms of the site, there was not a suitable site on council owned land in Motueka, so “further work was needed” from this point on. Land purchase options for the proposed Motueka swimming pool were discussed in committee during Thursday’s meeting. Councillor Mike Kininmonth stressed that he was fully in support of the pool, but was a bit nervous as to where funding was coming from.
“Is the council going to be held accountable for the $16 million?” he asked. Hollier said funding would be from a combination of council funding and community funding from a variety of sources such as grants.
Councillor Trindi Walker asked if there was a reason why there was not a Motueka project advisory group. Hollier said there was no reason why an advisory group couldn't be formed and formalised. She was “aggrieved” and “frustrated” at how long this process had taken. When the community found out via press release from the mayor that they had lost some Government funding, there was an “ouch factor”, she said. “It comes here 20 odd years ago, it comes so far, it gets kicked to touch. It gets resurrected, almost dies at conception and it gets resurrected again,” Walker said. “And I'd hate to think we'd go through this process and the cost of doing yet more feasibility studies.” Walker also asked why it had taken since last year when the feasibility study was done for it to come to full council.
Hollier said the delay fell on his shoulders, as prior to retirement he was struggling to have the opportunity, time and resources to provide input. Walker said the point of her question was not to name and shame Hollier, rather it was a “bigger picture thing” about the lack of resources the council had. Through an added resolution, staff were instructed, in conjunction with ward councillors, to report back on the formation of an advisory group for the Motueka Community Pool project. A report on the feasibility study written by reserves and facilities manager Grant Reburn said an appropriate site for a pool had not yet been found.
Consideration had been given to land already owned by the council, but all of those sites had “severe limitations” or were too small, the report said. Council would therefore need to purchase a site for this facility. Work was continuing to identify sites and progress the matter, Reburn wrote. As the assumption had been made the pool would be built on existing council owned land, there was currently no specific budget allocated for a site, and funding approval would be required. This would be brought to the council as a strategic land purchase in the current financial year, the report said. As reported via The Nelson Mail July 21st 2023. https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/132581589/public-pool-for-motueka-inches-closer-after-decades-long-wait
Year round heated and covered pools are much needed for use by all ages and all demographics; toddlers, learn to swim, school children, teenagers, active swimmers, recreational exercisers, families, accident and illness rehabilitation, healthy lifestylers, older actives. It will be one of the most used recreational facilities and be in use all day, seven days a week. Motueka is the largest town in the South Island without covered and heated pools.
The committee continues to work on a variety of fund-raising activities. This ranges from ongoing community fundraisers like Quiz and Movies Nights, connecting with external funders like Rata and Lotteries and of course there will still be sausage sizzles. Community support at these events and the feedback given bolsters the money in the bank and the enthusiasm of those working on the project. As a community lead project there is flexibility in how contributions can be made and recognised and any approach to assist will be appreciated.
Lions and Lionesses in Motueka have been key partners in the project with support and fundraising focussed on the therapeutic pool. With the inclusion in the LTP the local funds can be leveraged through the wider Lions international organisation.
The Motueka community has needed heated swimming facilities for years. Inclusion in the LTP brings this a step closer than before but work with TDC is necessary before we can finally begin construction.
Browse the rest of this website and we will tell you more about how this will happen, and how you will be able help in this awesome and worthwhile project. In particular, we need your donation.
