The community is being invited to come along to Memorial Pool in Tauranga this Easter Weekend to say goodbye after 70 years of fun in the sun.
The outdoor seasonal pool will be closing next week for winter, as it does every year, and will not be re-opening next spring.
Tauranga City Council confirmed Bay Venues’ recommendation to permanently close the existing pool due to its deteriorating condition and ongoing operation and remedial costs. The site is set to become the location for the proposed Memorial Park Aquatic Centre, which is currently under redesign.
Bay Venues Chief Executive Chad Hooker says Memorial Pool, which was built in Memorial Park in 1955, has significant infrastructure and age-related issues and, in addition, the current level of use is not supporting the cost of maintaining and operating the facility.
“Key issues with the pool include significant leaks and ongoing issues with the heating system that regularly result in expensive remedial and maintenance costs along with booking cancellations and delayed pool openings.”
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale says while it’s sad to see such a much-loved community asset coming to its end of life, the proposed new facility will be a significant upgrade.
“We know how important aquatic facilities are for the people of Tauranga and are committed to building additional facilities for our community,” says Mahé.
Mahé says work on the concept design for the proposed new Memorial Park Aquatic Centre is underway, guided by a project steering group that includes Councillors and subject matter experts, with a focus on delivering value for money for ratepayers and adequately responding to community needs.
The redevelopment proposes a modern aquatic facility designed for lane swimming, aquatic sports, hydrotherapy, learn to swim programmes and family recreation.
“Along with progressing proposed plans for the Memorial Park Aquatic Centre, our Council is partnering with Mount Maunganui Aquatic Centre Trust to invest in a 50-metre outdoor training pool at Mount Maunganui College, which is expected to open next summer.
“We’ve also committed to keeping Ōtūmoetai Pool open and carrying out required upgrades over the coming years,” says Mahé.
This investment is in addition to the ongoing operation of Baywave and Greerton aquatic centres which also form part of Tauranga City’s wider aquatic network.
Council is expected to confirm the preferred timeline and funding approach for the Memorial Park Aquatic Centre through the upcoming Annual Plan process.
Details of Easter Weekend celebration
Entry to Memorial Pool will be free for the community all Easter Weekend (Friday 3 April – Monday 6 April).
Bay Venues Chief Executive Chad Hooker says: “There will be free inflatables and plenty of fun on offer for the whole family, so come along and have one last splash.”
Memorial Pool will be closed to public swimmers from Tuesday 7 April, with a final Pooch in the Pool community event held on Saturday 11 April for dog lovers and their four-legged companions, following the lowering of water levels and removal of chlorine.
More details about Pooch in the Pool