A failing chlorine gas system at Waihī’s public swimming pool has led to an unbudgeted spend of $100,000 for Hauraki District Council.
A report given to councillors last month said the pool’s ageing gas chlorination system was unsafe and posed an “immediate health and safety risk”, recommending it be decommissioned immediately. The pool’s chlorine gas alarm has been activated several times, including during the inspection.
At the council’s August 4 meeting, councillors approved the spend, which will cover the installation of a new salt chlorinator similar to that used at the Ngatea pool. Group manager of service delivery Adrian de Laborde said the unsafe equipment has already been removed from the facility.
The upgrade will result in an estimated 0.03 percent increase in non-water rates, equivalent to around $1 per district ratepayer, council said. However, councillors noted the spend was necessary, as the pool would not otherwise be able to operate this coming summer.
Councillors have also raised concerns about the roughly $2 million investment that the pool will require over the next ten years, with several noting they were uncomfortable pouring capital into an asset not owned by the council.
The pool sits on Waihī College grounds and is owned by the Ministry of Education, while the council has a lease to maintain and operate it as a community facility.
The 70-year-old facility is in an overall poor condition, the report said, requiring an investment of over $2 million in the next ten years to bring it up to standard.
“The balance tank is cracked and dysfunctional… the DE filtration system is at end of life, and plant room pipework is poor,” it said.
The pool is also leaking, however funds have recently been raised by the Waihī Swim Club for a pool lining replacement.
The council has signalled its intention to investigate the viability of procuring the pool and the land it sits on, and will be making inquiries with the Ministry of Education.
“The Waihī Swimming Pool has served the community for around 70 years, and it continues to support public swimming, learn-to-swim programmes, school swimming education, club activities and summer recreation,” mayor Toby Adams said.
“We know how important local access to swimming is for wellbeing, confidence in the water, and community connection. This decision means Waihī can continue to have access to a local pool while longer-term planning for the facility is worked through.”
