Closure highlights lack of pools in area

The Ivan Wilson Pool at Napier Aquatic Centre is one of two 25m pools at the Onekawa complex.

The number of aquatic facilities across the Hastings and Napier district is worrying with just two in Napier and five in Hastings.

The Napier Aquatic Centre and Ocean Spa are the only two left running in Napier with the closure of Greendale Pool at the end of last year.

Sports Hawke's Bay CE Mark Aspden said the issue was definitely always on their radar and the closure of Greendale Pool had added to the pressure.

"It is a challenge and holds a combination of problems as there's the competitive side but then also the issue of people not being able to learn to swim which is an important life skill."

He said if there is a lack of pool space those who are just doing it socially or for safety will be less inclined to make the effort.

"Competitive swimmers will always make it work but those not competitive will stop bothering if it is inconvenient to them and that is another concern we have.

"There are relatively high drowning tolls in New Zealand across the board so having these aquatic facilities available to people is important."

The Hastings District has the Havelock North Village Pool, Frimley Pool, Clive War Memorial Pool, Swim Heretaunga Pool and Splash Planet facilities.

Mr Aspden said a shortage of pool space was an ongoing problem and was being looked at by both councils with the Napier City Council looking at their Napier Aquatic Strategy and the Hastings District Council keeping it close on their radar.

"It is not easy just to add more pools as it is expensive so it will take some planning."

In Graeme Avery's long term plan for the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park a 55m Olympic Pool is being proposed, which would help reduce the pressure of aquatic facilities if it all went ahead.

At this stage the pool is only a proposal.