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MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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New ownership an option for poolThe Kauri Coast Community Pool in Dargaville was again in the spotlight at December’s Council meeting at Otamatea Marae.
The solar-heated pool is the only 50m pool north of Auckland and opened in 2010 with the expectation of attracting swimmers from schools, clubs and competitions throughout Northland. The Council contributed $2.5 million of its $6.36 million construction cost but patronage has fallen well short of the 2008 estimations. However, while original figures put swimmer admissions at 32,000 annually, this figure had never quite been reached with opening attendances around 31,000 falling to 22,000 then under 11,000 in the 2012/13 year. Revenue has reduced from an expected $160,000 to less than $60,000, increasing the council subsidy from an expected $144,000 to $240,000. On this basis the Kauri Coast Community Pool Trust, which owns the complex, does not believe its pool operation is sustainable. There has also been public criticism of the charges for usage and the fact that the pool only operates for six months of the year, leaving the complex being underutilised and adding considerably to the cost of maintenance. In a report to Council, operations manager John Burt said he had looked at four options for the pool's future and recommended entering negotiations with Sport Northland to own and operate the facility, with the possibility of council providing an annual subsidy towards future maintenance and asset renewals. Mr Burt believed Sport Northland had the expertise to enhance the profile of the pool locally and regionally and improve its usage. A potential performance-based report is expected to be tabled at the Council meeting this month following discussions between Sport Northland and KDC chief executive Steve Ruru. CRITICISM: Pool Trust owners say more expertise is needed to sustain the Dargaville pool complex. – PHOTO/Architecture HDT |
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