Swimming pool to remain in Mt Albert

‘‘A swimming pool will absolutely be needed in Mt Albert.’’

It may be out with the old and in with the new for Mt Albert’s swimming pool.

The future of Mt Albert Aquatic Centre was in jeopardy after talks of relocating the pool to another central-west Auckland suburb.

But Auckland Council is now investigating options for building a new aquatic facility in the area, according to a study presented to the Albert-Eden Local Board.

The aquatic centre was closed for three months last year as part of a multi-million dollar upgrade to the pool.

However the upgrade only extended the pool’s future by five to 10 years and meant further investment was needed to ensure it stayed in Mt Albert. There is no budget for aquatic facilities in the council’s Long-Term Plan.

The aquatic centre operates at capacity and current users could not be accommodated by other aquatic facilities in the network. Board chairperson Peter Haynes says there is a long term need for the pool to remain in the Mt Albert area.

According to the study, the facility has experienced a number of issues particularly around the pool’s location on the Mt Albert Grammar School grounds. It noted that its location was causing ‘‘conflict between facility traffic, and school students and capacity car parking’’. Albert Eden board deputy chairperson Glenda Fryer says the school needs the land.