Close win for pool, but critic hits out

A $9.9 million expansion of the Mt Maunganui hot saltwater pools has been approved by a narrow margin.

The work will add another level to the one-storey complex, expand the pool and play areas, refurbish the changing rooms, develop a health and wellness centre, a cultural interpretation centre, a visitor information centre and a cafe and restaurant.

The Tauranga City Council voted six to five to proceed with the latest redevelopment after two years of public submissions.

The holiday spot, part of the popular Beachside Holiday Park at the foot of the mountain, Mauao, can attract more than 26,000 locals and holidaymakers a month in summer.

Nestled between the main beach and the Mt Maunganui harbour, the thermally-heated baths, which opened in 1960, have undergone several renovations over the years but this will be their biggest yet.

But not everyone is looking forward to the redevelopment.

Catherine Stewart, a councillor who has been involved in the tourism industry for 10 years, said a large building in front of the mountain and encroaching on to 25 campsites at Beachside would be an eyesore.

"Tourists are looking for authentic tourism and the natural beauty of Mauao will now be severely compromised with an ugly, large building," she said.

"There will be a major loss of green open space.

"I have read all the submissions over the past two years and received many emails and phone calls about the hot pools. The community just wants well-maintained, affordable facilities."

She said plans had not been made for extra parking, and the project was certain to cause traffic congestion.

"Customers are not going to want to have to walk after having a swim at the hot pools. It is not the type of activity where you would want to take a bus or walk especially in the winter."

The cafe, restaurant and wellness centre would be competing with similar facilities in the area, she said.

There was no economic certainty about the project and she was afraid if it did not make a profit locals would be the "financial backstop" with rate rises to help pay off the loan for the project.

They were the only pools making money - $550,000 a year - which helped to pay off the debt of places such as Baywave.

"Why take the risk given the economy?"

The four-stage plan for the pools was first commissioned in 2006 by Tauranga City Aquatics, a council-controlled organisation which owns them.

Its general manager, Tania Delahunty, said it was hoped profit from the new wellness centre would pay the $9.9 million loan for the development which is being sought from council, local iwi and other investors.

The cost would not fall on ratepayers and entry fees to the pools would not be raised.

Wellness centres had profited alongside other popular New Zealand swimming facilities such as the Polynesian Spa in Rotorua and Hanmer Springs in North Canterbury.

Ms Delahunty said the ageing facilities were in need of renovation and after wading through hundreds of public submissions to gauge feedback on the design, the councillors believed they had come out with the best possible look.

The roof would be flat, the walls would include a lot of glass windows and sustainable materials would be used.

The project will now have to gain resource consents. It is hoped construction will start in March with completion in 2011.