Hastings public swimming pools set for major upgrade

The Hastings District Council has approved a new Aquatic Strategy, which will see the four community pools undergo a major upgrade.

Council has agreed to spend $5.5m over seven years on the Frimley Aquatic Centre, Clive War Memorial Pool, Flaxmere Waterworld and Havelock North Village Pool.

Councillor Ru Collin says “the upgrades will ensure the pools meet demanding safety standards in years to come and should encourage more public use of the facilities”.

“Council will work with the trusts which manage the pools, to find ways of balancing the needs of all pool users”.

“If we are still unable to meet the demand from the community, Council will undertake a feasibility study, into whether a new district pool should be provided” Cr Collin says.

“The upgrades have become a priority for Council, after a review in 2009 found all four pools were aging and struggled to meet rigorous, modern compliance standards”.

“The Council recognizes the need for more people to learn to swim and for public pools to be multipurpose, where they can”.

Work on the Frimley and Clive pools is expected to begin next year and be completed in 2013.

The major part of the Flaxmere Waterworld project will take place in 2012/13, with further work to be undertaken in 2016.

Work on the Havelock North pool will also be done in 2012/13, with the final phase of the project to be undertaken in 2018.

Cr Collin says “the Aquatic Strategy was supported by the majority of submitters, many of whom acknowledged the significant cost of the work but said council should get on with meeting the needs of the community”.

“The pools are great assets for Hastings and the work will ensure they better meet the needs of our community ”.