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Edgeware Pool Decision Great News For Local Community and The City

Thursday 25 February 2016, 2:01PM

By RedPR

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A hopeful sign after the pool was demolished
A hopeful sign after the pool was demolished Credit: Stuff.co.nz
Edgeware Pool 75 Years Ago
Edgeware Pool 75 Years Ago Credit: Stalbansgen.nz

CHRISTCHURCH

Local ward councillors Pauline Cotter and Ali Jones say the decision unanimously passed at council today to sell the Edgeware Pool site to a community pool group for $1 will provide a hugely positive boost for the local area and the wider city.

Both Cotter and Jones have been involved for several years with supporting the community-led drive to re-establish a community pool on the original pool site

“Val and Paul Somerville have worked exceptionally hard to keep the Edgeware Pool Swim Club running even after losing the pool in April 2007,” says Councillor Cotter. “This community minded couple has actually grown the numbers to more than 80 which bodes well for when the pool returns to its proper place in Edgeware.”

Both councillors say The Shirley Papanui Community Board must be acknowledged for their ongoing support.

“Running “community conversations” in St Albans and providing support for the pool group has been invaluable to moving this forward”, said Clr Jones. “Of course we must also recognise the late Martin Coffey for his support which came from his love of swimming and his community.”

Progressing the pool project has been better enabled as a result of the decision made today.

“This group has been unwavering in their focus on re-establishing the pool on the original site, spending significant amounts of money and time to get to this point,” says Pauline Cotter. “Like many, these residents have been hard hit with earthquake issues, exacerbated by flooding in Flockton so to not only have built the swim club up but had pool designs completed to Resource Consent stage is a phenomenal achievement,” she says.

Councillors were unanimous in supporting a resolution that will see the Pool Group be offered for $1, the land where the original pool sat for 75 years with the proviso they establish a pool on that site within 10 years.

“Councillors also formally requested that council officers support the pool group, walking alongside them to make the journey as smooth as possible as they work hard to see this project completed,” says Councillor Jones.

The Pool Group has the support of the local business association, St Albans Residents Association (SARA), St Albans Primary School and residents, as evidenced through a number of surveys and community meetings.