A company has run the Auckland Council-owned facility since 1994. Photo: Google Maps
The management of a Newmarket pools and fitness centre have demanded answers from Auckland Council about the uncertain future of their facility.
Olympic Pools director Peter Rust said its lease with the council was due to expire on 2 November.
Rust said his company, which had managed the pools since 1994, first asked for a 10-year lease extension to continue operating the facility five years ago.
He said the pool's management were willing to invest $1 million into upgrades including replacing the sauna and steam room, refurbishing change rooms, and purchasing new gym equipment.
They had already invested over $3m of their own money into the facility.
"Our proposal is a very good deal for ratepayers.
"But they (the council) have not communicated to us why they are reluctant to proceed."
Six months ago, Rust said the council informed them the Waitematā Local Board would decide the future of the pool's ownership.
However, the local board was yet to make a decision despite the lease expiry date looming.
Rust said the pool's management as well as staff and users of the pools needed certainty.
"The problem has caused anxiety among our staff members. They don't know if they'll be out of a job.
"There's uncertainty about whether people should continue to buy memberships and if they will be able to use the facility in 10 weeks' time.
"As the owners of the company who run this facility, we have no ability to make plans until the Waitematā Local Board makes a decision."
On 1 August, Auckland Council agreed to start the process of deciding which of its pools to continue leasing to private operators and which to run itself.
But Rust said Olympic Pools was in a unique position as the only pools with a long-term lease with the council.
The council has had all the required information about their proposal since October 2023.
A delegation of users along with management planned to attend a local board meeting on Tuesday to make their concerns heard.
He said he did not know what would happen to the pools if their lease was terminated.
Waitematā Local Board chair Genevive Sage said the board was waiting on official advice to make a decision.
She had asked council staff to report on matters relating to the facility in time for the board's business meeting in September.
"The Waitematā Local Board has been constant in its desire to progress matters around the Olympic facility to ensure we achieve the best service and financial outcomes for local residents.
"Auckland Council's governing body made its delivery decisions about pool and leisure services at the beginning of August, and as chair of the local board I have requested council staff give priority for a report to come to our September business meeting.
"We know this is an important facility for our community, and we want to make a decision as soon as possible once we have all the relevant advice from staff."
