Trust Is Confident Pool Money Will Be Raised

The Kauri Coast Community Pool Trust is confident Dargaville’s 50 metre swimming pool will go ahead and still be ready for the 2009 swimming season despite a funding disappointment.

The Trust currently has $3.5 million of the $6 million needed to build Northland’s first 50 metre pool at Selwyn Park and had hoped that the ASB Community Trust would fund a substantial portion of the balance.

However, ASB Community Trust has advised that it received far more applications than it could fund and is unable to help.

Pool Trust Chairman Vern Stevens is very disappointed but points out that the project still has major funding commitments from the Lotteries Grants Board and Northland Regional Council and says the Trust is currently discussing funding with two other large organisations.

Mr Stevens says the Trust is committed to continuing with the full project, including a 50 metre pool with moveable partitions, covered learners/hydrotherapy pool plus a sports pavilion, and there are no plans to downscale the concept.

“I am confident we will get the money.”

Mr Stevens says the plans are ready and the Trust had hoped to start construction before Christmas. However, while missing out on ASB Community Trust funding could delay this he believes the pool, which will take about ten months to build, can still be completed in time for the 2009 swimming season.