KAWERAU councillors were split over whether the town’s pool should close earlier during winter.
Pool staff have put forward a proposal seeking to have the pool opening hours be 8am to 6pm, regardless of the season.
For some time, staff at the Maurie Kjar Memorial pool have requested the centre close earlier during winter due to concerns about “boisterous” youth, the cold and health and safety issues arising from the visibility of swimmers through the steam.
They have also asked that it close earlier on summer weekends, as private hire of the pool complex is not available until 8pm, which is too late for a barbeque with young children.
Staff have also asked for it to open earlier in both seasons to allow for morning swimmers.
They said making the hours the same, regardless of season, would reduce confusion and frustration in the community.
However, councillors were not sold on the proposal and said more consultation with the community was needed.
Councillor David Sparks said he was a “little disturbed” but not surprised there were boisterous youth in the pool after 6pm, which was “not good”.
“I can see the logic of the proposed hours so personally I would be in favour,” he said.
“What really concerns me is the health and safety aspect. If there is more intense supervision needed, that concerns me.”
Councillor Aaron Rangihika said the health and safety aspect of the visibility through the steam concerned him and he supported the proposal.
However, councillors Warwick Godfery, Sela Kingi, Faylene Tunui and Berice Julian felt there needed to be more public consultation on the opening hours.
Ms Kingi said the issues identified by staff had been there for many years and it was her understanding that the opening hours were designed to suit mill workers who wanted to have a swim after work.
She said if that was the original kaupapa then the council should speak with the workers again.
“I would support it with more information,” she said.
Mr Godfery said the pools were the jewel in Kawerau’s crown and were known around the country.
“This is one of our most used assets; we have made a big investment and want to make more of an investment,” he said.
“Why would you want to shut the doors?”
Deputy mayor Faylene Tunui said factors raised by staff had been there every year and the report was “very internal” and she would like more of a conversation with the community.
“I would support status quo for now until we have more of a discussion with those who use the facility.”
Berice Julian said 6pm was too early to close in summer and she would like to see the proposed closing time pushed out another hour.
“It gives families who had been at sports the chance to come and relax and it’s still early enough to go home to bed,” she said.
“Families used to have a swim, cook their tea and then walk out in their pyjamas ready for bed.”
Mayor Malcolm Campbell also supported sticking with the status quo for now.
“If people don’t want to work those hours, we will get people who will work,” he said.
Councillors voted to have further discussion with the community on the pool opening hours.
Upgrade to Kawerau pool
THE Kawerau community is being asked if it would like a basic or significant upgrade of its swimming pool complex.
Kawerau District Council is asking its residents through its annual plan consultation of they would prefer to spend $300,000 on a basic upgrade or if they would prefer to go all-out with a $750,000 upgrade.
The basic upgrade will cover a conversion of the old changing rooms into swimming club rooms, replace the entrance roof and refurbish the office building.
In comparison, the larger upgrade will construct a new office and staff building and the current building will be demolished, construct a new entranceway which ties in with the existing complex, convert the old changing rooms into swimming clubrooms, construct a new exterior fence and upgrade the pool filtration system.
The council is hoping to get most of the works externally funded.
Submissions to the annual plan can be made online at kaweraudc.govt.nz, by email to submissions@kawerau.govt.nz, by facebook messenger or dropped in or mailed to the council offices.
Submissions close on June 30.
