What would you pay for a pool?

Kaitaia's public pools. PICTURE/PETRINA HODGSON

How much would you be willing to pay for a new indoor, heated swimming pool in your ward? That is one of the questions the Far North District Council is putting to ratepayers as it develops an Aquatic Facilities Strategy for the district.

The council resolved in 2012 to develop the strategy after 2800 submitters to its 2012-13 annual plan asked for new, indoor heated swimming pools in Kaitaia and Kerikeri. Councillors resolved last month to seek public feedback on a number of principles to allow it to include a draft strategy in its long-term plan 2015-25.

The council is proposing that communities will need to drive any plans to build new pools in Kaitaia, Kerikeri and Kaikohe, and fundraise to meet two-thirds of construction costs. The council may raise loans to meet the other third, but would service those loans via a differential, targeted rate that would be payable by all ratepayers in the ward where the pool was built.

Mayor John Carter said the new council was a community-led organisation and wanted to respond to the strong demand for pools in the three main towns, but the district also faced major infrastructure challenges as a result of July's storm and maintenance that previous councils had deferred.

Some of those challenges, including a need to address sewerage issues in Kerikeri and Kaitaia, could result in significant rate increases.

"We need ratepayers to indicate what they are willing to pay on top of their current rates, but we want them to be mindful of other priorities," Mr Carter said.

The council had calculated how much ratepayers in each ward would pay if the proposed pools were built, and loans were raised to fund 33 per cent of the capital costs.

Targeted rates, payable over 20 years, would range from $1-$113 a year per rateable property, depending on the cost of the pool and location of the property.

"We are trying to make this as fair as possible by recognising that ratepayers who live near a pool would be more likely to use it than those in rural areas," he added.

Mr Carter emphasised that the council had not made any decisions about whether or not to fund new pools, and would not be doing so until it deliberated submissions to its draft long-term plan next year.

"We will have a clearer picture then of how much it will cost to fund essential infrastructure renewals, and be in a better position to weigh up competing demands for ratepayer funds," he said.

Submissions to the draft aquatic strategy will close on September 30. Further information and submission forms can be found at www.fndc.govt.nz or collected from any district council service centre.

Far North pool sums

The $8 million heated pool complex proposed by Kaitaia's Te Hiku Sports Hub would require the community to raise at least $5.33 million towards the capital costs. If the council borrowed the balance, Te Hiku Ward ratepayers could pay a targeted rate ranging from $4 to $40 a year for 20 years.

Kerikeri's Mid-North Aquatic and Fitness Facility wants to build a $12-$15 million aquatic leisure centre. The council favours a more modest $8 million indoor heated pool. Under the proposed strategy, the community would need to raise at least $8.66 million, or $5.33 million for the less expensive option. Ratepayers in Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward may pay a targeted rate of $3 to $113 a year for 20 years if the council borrows to raise the balance for the dearer project, or $1 to $38 for the cheaper one.

A community group in Kaikohe supports the development of an indoor heated pool that could cost $4 million. Ratepayers in Kaikohe- Hokianga Ward would need to raise $2.67 million, and could pay a targeted rate of $2 to $53 a year for 20 years.

A study by Freeman Associates last year recommended that the council reduce funding for the indoor heated pool at Bay of Islands College in Kawakawa. The council rejected that advice in May, and now the Kawakawa Business Association is keen to see the pool remain open and has been upgrading it. The community is considering how best to govern and