The wave pool in the Mt Albert Aquatic Centre. File photo / Supplied
The wave pool in the Mt Albert Aquatic Centre. File photo / Supplied
A large suburban swimming pool complex in Auckland is likely to be closed or moved to make way for school expansion.
Mt Albert Aquatic Centre is expected to reach the end of its working life within the next decade and the school it is sited on - Mt Albert Grammar- wants the land back to help cope with its growing roll.
But Auckland Council has made no promises to fund a replacement pool in the western city suburb.
Albert-Eden Local Board chairman Peter Haynes said if the community wanted the pool replaced at another location, it should let the council know.
"We are desperate for people to make their voices heard. Even when there's an aquatic centre at stake it's still hard to get people to make themselves heard."
The future of swimming pool services was among issues the community could give feedback on in the local board plan, which reflects what the community wants and influence how boards contribute to Auckland Council's strategies and plans, including the 10-year budget.
Submissions close on June 30, with more information here.
Two sites had been identified as potential locations for a new pool - Chamberlain Park and behind the Community and Recreation Centre at Rocket Park, Haynes said.
Mt Albert Aquatic Centre will close within a decade, prompting concern the future of public swimming services in the West Auckland suburb. File photo / Brett Phibbs
The pool, which includes 25m competition, wave, children's and spa pools, was built in 1996 and is run by a trust. It's a leaky building and a $3.2 million ratepayer-funded upgrade in 2015 was designed to extend its life by five to 10 years.
Albert-Eden-Roskill councillor Cathy Casey said many in the community had not realised the future of pool services in the suburb were under threat.
"Definitely the community are now aware ... I think there will be a huge upturn [in interest] ... we have to fight to keep our service."
Mt Albert Grammar principal Pat Drumm said the pool was built as part of a partnership between the council and the school, a great show of vision at the time.
But the same growth that was putting pressure on infrastructure all over the city was also causing problems at the school.
"It's a fantastic asset for the community. But when it was built Mt Albert, and Auckland, was a different place.
"We are all in the same boat with population growth. It just doesn't work anymore."
The school's roll had doubled since 1996 to just under 2900 pupils, and staff numbers were at 300.
Their main concern was health and safety. Pool users had to drive through the school to reach the aquatic centre car park, passing directly in front of the school's main block.
"[At the school] we've got 3000 people coming in and out of the site. Logistically it's a nightmare."
They were also not able to vet who was passing through the school grounds, he said.
He was not sure what the school would do with the site once the centre closed, but it was possible they would retain all or part of the complex, including keeping at least one pool open for school use.
