Naenae Pool to dominate Hutt election
The future of the earthquakeprone Naenae Pool should be clearer by early next year.
Closing the Olympic-sized pool and associated facilities has had a huge impact on the Naenae community and retailers.
Built in 1956, it attracted up to 450,000 visitors a year to Naenae, one of Lower Hutt’s most economically deprived suburbs.
Engineers found the building was earthquake prone and, with so many users, the council was left with no option but to close it in April.
The future of the pool and how it can be paid for is a key issue in the local body election. Repairing it is estimated at $30 million and building a new facility at $52m.
Officers hope to be able to report back before February to the new council with more details on the cost and design. That would potentially see it included in the June 2020 annual plan. However, a ‘‘special consultation’’ process is required to make a change to the council’s long-term plan.
With all the council candidates agreeing that repairing or replacing the pool is a priority, the new council will be left with only one issue – how to pay for it. Options include increasing debt and rates, selling assets, reducing services or deferring other projects.
Councillor Chris Milne has circulated a document outlining the financial implications for the council and raising the issue of whether the city already has too many pools.
Lower Hutt had six pools and Upper Hutt one. Prior to closing Naenae, the council was subsidising swimmers by $6.34 per head.
‘‘Unless we are prepared to sell some or all of our housing stock valued at around $15m (to a suitable public housing provider), the only option that will not result in a significant rise in rates and/or debt is to do nothing.’’
Milne said that idea was unlikely to get much support.