New Plymouth swimmers are begging their council not to pave over an Olympic-sized outdoor pool as part of a $33 million revamp of the city's aquatic complex.
Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Swimmers say long summer days spent at the outdoor pool are a rite of passage for people growing up in the city, while an elite coach says its loss would be devastating for the sport.
The New Plymouth Aquatic Centre began life in 1903 as the Kawaroa Saltwater Baths, set directly into the reef of the same name.
The current 50-metre freshwater pool was built in 1963 and an adjoining indoor complex added in the mid-1990s.
New Plymouth District Council said it now struggled to meet demand and a state-of-the-art redevelopment - featuring a dedicated 10-lane 25-metre indoor training pool - was one of two 'flagship' projects in its long-term plan consultation document.
But the project would include filling in both the outdoor Olympic pool and a diving pool.
Mark Kenning often swims in the outdoor pool, with its stunning view of the ocean, until it closes each winter.
He was reluctant to see it sacrificed.
"They do need another pool absolutely ... an indoor one - but they need to keep the outdoor pool," he said.
"There aren't many cities in New Zealand that have still got 50m pools outdoors.
"It's a rare asset and we should really be looking after it."
Regular swimmer Michelle Archer said lazy days hanging out near the outdoor pool were a rite of passage for New Plymouth teens.
"I think it would be a real shame, it's so iconic out there," she said.
"We grew up out there in the heat of the sun and I think it's just a real part of Taranaki. It would be such a shame to see it become a car park."
Regular swimmer Michelle Archer says the outdoor pool is iconic and a part of growing up in Taranaki. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Taranaki's elite swim squad, Team Aquablades, has twin contracts at the aquatic centre and the 25m Bell Block community pool.
Head coach Sue Southgate was fuming at the proposal.
If the pool was scrapped it would be a major set-back for elite swimmers in New Plymouth, Ms Southgate said.
"It's really important, it provides a great opportunity to do some long-course training and that is massively important, because all of our teams that go away are selected on long-course swimming, not short-course swimming."
If the 50m pool was lost, her swimmers would have to travel elsewhere for long-course training camps, she said.
The pool was recognised internationally.
"I've also had a lot to do with the international triathlon community over the years as well and they just love coming here and training in that outdoor pool in the summer time before the various international triathlons they have here," she said.
"They think it is one of the most beautiful training facilities they come across in their trek around the world."
Aquablades Head coach Sue Southgate, pictured at the her Bell Block community pool base, says the 50m pool in New Plymouth is important to elite swimmers. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom said the aquatic centre revamp was only included in the consultation document at the direction of the auditor-general.
"My preference would've been that we simply said, 'Does the community want us to go out and do another flagship project? And that's a yes or no question. And then if so what sort of project should we do?'
"But the auditor insisted that council produce projects with costings."
The council only had fully-costed designs for a revamp of the city's indoor sports complex and the aquatic centre, but those plans were not set in stone, Mr Holdom said.
Whichever project ratepayers indicate they prefer, if any, it was proposed they would be paid, in part, through the sale of reserve land, including half of the city's only public golf course.
That idea also found little favour with Mark Kenning.
"It's just a great asset that greenbelt there. You can walk the dogs at night, all that sort of stuff."
Michelle Archer was even more adamantly opposed
"We only own so much [land] and to sell it off would be a real shame," she said.
"Then to throw the money away on something that is already great seems even more pointless."
The council's preferred flagship project is a $34 million redevelopment of the New Plymouth's indoor sports arena, rather the re-doing the pool complex.
Public submission on the consultation document close next Wednesday.
