The district council will look further afield for potential suitable sites for Thames’ Centennial Pool replacement, with their search focusing on areas around the neighbouring Hauraki rohe.
But suggesting that Thames’s new pool could possibly be built outside the town was “so unpalatable”, one councillor said.
With Thames’s current pool located on an urupā at Taipari Park, it will be removed by 2027 and the land will be returned to Ngāti Maru.
And after Sport Waikato enquired where the best location would be to develop a sub-regional aquatic facility, the Thames Community Board decided last week to research suitable sites in the Hauraki district, in order to ascertain whether a sub-regional facility – with multiple funders – or a local facility – funded largely within the Thames ward – would be best.
Councillor Martin Rodley voted against the motion.
“It’s the Thames replacement pool. How can it be a 20 to 30 minute drive from Thames?” he asked. “We’re basically saying unless you’ve got a car… you can’t use this pool. It’s so unpalatable.”
In January, Hauraki Mayor Toby Adams advised staff that his council was willing to consider the possibility of a partnership with TCDC to develop a sub-regional aquatic facility, and supported investigating site options within the Hauraki area, outside the Thames boundary.
To research potential locations within the Hauraki district, it’s going to cost $11,000, with a “cost-share” with Hauraki’s council to be sought.
TCDC group manager operations Bruce Hinson said he understood “the emotion and the seriousness” of what was being discussed; however, a wide scope of research was needed to answer the question of locality.
Board member Holly MacKenzie said she was “ecstatic” to see the recommendation brought to the March 8 meeting.
“You go out and check everything, tick everything off, before you make a decision… we’re not signing a wedding certificate, we’re not saying we’re buying this land, we’re just saying: ‘these are the options’ and I’m rapt with that,” she said.
Once options have been prepared, a presentation will be arranged for the Thames Community Board, followed by a presentation to Ngāti Maru and stakeholders.
