College gains pool for future expansion

MOUNT Aspiring College principal Nicola Jacobsen, chairman Ian Hall and Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult gathered at the Wanaka high school to mark the official acquisition of the old Wanaka community pool site by the Ministry of Education this week.

The former community pool closed in 2018 when new council aquatic facilities at Wanaka Recreation Centre opened.

While the building itself remains, the college has been using the land around it for temporary classroom space since 2019 under a licence to occupy arrangement between the ministry and the council.

Ms Jacobsen said property has been a priority, particularly in securing land for the continual expansion of the college.

‘‘I’m really keen to make sure we have stateoftheart facilities, particularly now with health and physical education,’’ she said.

Acquisition of the former pool site has meant the college will be able to look at serious expansion with the support of the ministry, she said.

Mr Boult said everyone knew the school would end up with the site eventually.

‘‘That was the plan, but like all these things, they get complicated along the way.

‘‘Council had to balance the fact we wanted the site for the school, but also looking after the greater communities financial assets by making sure it was appropriately handled,’’ he said.

Ministry head of property Sam Fowler was pleased with how all parties worked together to support the future of the school and educational outcomes for pupils in the district.

‘‘The work of council and Ministry of Education staff, alongside the college, to bring about this outcome is a great example of local and central government working together to deliver the best outcomes for local communities,’’ he said.

The original Wanaka Community Pool at 121 Plantation Rd was a Wanaka and District Lions Club project that opened in 1992.

The council took over its management in 2009.