Caravan park to make way for new Mosgiel pool

THE new Mosgiel swimming pool site has been confirmed, and it will come at the cost of a caravan park.

Construction of the $15 million pool is set to begin next year and the Dunedin City Council expects the caravan park will have to close by April 2021.

The new Mosgiel pool is to be built on land beside the existing pool, at the west end of Memorial Park.

The council confirmed the site yesterday and said the tender process for the design and build of the new pool was under way.

A recent geotechnical survey confirmed the preferred site was suitable.

The council’s parks and recreation group manager, Robert West, said the test results were the final jigsaw piece in the process of finalising the location.

“The site we have announced was the preferred site of the council in April 2017 and the site preferred by the community in consultation we held in 2016.”

Bob Campbell, who was chairman of a fundraising committee for the project, was pleased the planned facility would go ahead.

“I’ve got no problem with the site.”

Mr Campbell said the pool would be a “tremendous” asset for Mosgiel, Dunedin and the wider region and he was sure it would be well used.

Mr West said council staff met Mosgiel Caravan Park residents yesterday and would work with them in the next few months to help find alternative accommodation for them.

The leaseholder of the caravan park, Paul Brooks, said shortly after the announcement the news, although expected, was still sinking in.

“At least we have some certainty,” he said.

“At least it gives the residents plenty of time to make other arrangements.”

Gordon Rd resident Peter Sim, whose property backs on to the Mosgiel Memorial Gardens and who has a daughter living in the caravan park, had misgivings about the confirmed site.

“Mosgiel should not have to lose something to get the new pool.

“Is that a step forward? I don’t see it as progress at all.”

The council expected to have a final design and tender signed by the end of 2020.

The new pool is a joint project between the council and the Taieri Community Facilities Trust. The trust is contributing $4.2 million and the council is spending $10.8 million.