Councillors ponder the cost of pool’s upgrade

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The amount of charitable funding required for redevelopment of the Olympic Pool was questioned by Gisborne district councillor Amber Dunn during long-term planning submissions.

The council’s preferred option costed at up to $28 million relies on council funding of only $5.65m, with the remainder reliant on grant funding.

That led Ms Dunn to ask if the council was ‘‘biting off more than we can chew”.

“Fundraising $23 million is a huge ask.

“Maybe we have to reduce the cost of the project.”

Rehette Stoltz asked if the redevelopment would be “a flyer’’ with only a $5.65m contribution.

Chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said other sources such as local partnerships could get the funding to a 50 percent level contribution.

It was unlikely grant funding would be gained if the existing contribution were less than 50 percent.

Pat Seymour said she agreed it would be difficult raising that amount of money suggested by Ms Dunn, but there was strong support for the preferred option, which included a 50-metre pool.

The council received many individual submissions supporting the 50-metre option and similar submissions from Waikanae Surf Lifesaving Club and Surf Life Saving New Zealand.

Of 275 submissions received, eight favoured the “do nothing option” and nine favoured a downsized option.

Mrs Seymour said council officers would have a “close look” at the project.

Even if the council’s contribution was raised to $10m over time, another $20m might be required by the time of building.

“That’s pretty difficult.”

Andrew White, director of liveable communities, said the Olympic Pool redevelopment would occur over two phases.

The first, the indoor phase, would cost $20 to $21m.

That would make the council contribution “much more healthy”.

“Are we confident we can pull this project off?”Ms Dunn asked.

“Yes we can,’’ said Mayor Meng Foon.

SLSNZ also asked for investigation into a drainage system for the sand sprint track at Churchill Park and into wooden sides to protect the track.

The council has no budget in the draft plan for such work.

Officers said there could be an investigation into drainage and a redesign, including costings, which could be presented to the Community Development and Services Committee at a later date.