The CHB District Council is to consider a comprehensive long-term strategy for the outdoor Waipawa Centennial Memorial Pool, with the potential to re-open a new, upgraded facility next summer.
The finance and planning committee yesterday recommended that $650,000 be included in the first year of the 2018-2028 draft long term plan (LTP) to put towards renewing the facility for the benefit of the Central Hawke's Bay district as a whole.
The 33m council-owned, non-heated pool opened in 1962, and was due to be repainted for this summer season, when significant age-related cracks and defects were found in the concrete and plaster, casting doubt over its future.
Read more: Waipawa outdoor pool closed but options open
Investigations into the future of the pool were already under way before the damage was discovered, with the knowledge that the filter, valued at $250,000 to replace, could break at any time.