Aquatic centre worker: 'What did I do wrong?'

Syd Warena has lost his job at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre after 29 years' service. Photo/Stephen Parker

He has been a lifeguard at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre for 29 years but that may not be enough to save Syd Warena's job.

''What did I do wrong?''

An emotional Warena was still coming to grips with facing redundancy and while his wife Donna had cried and worried about the future ''my tears were in the inside''.

Warena is one of 10 staff members at the public pools whose job has been lost after a Rotorua Lakes Council decision to outsource the management of the aquatic centre.

The 53-year-old father of two has been offered redundancy, redeployment within the council or a new role at Community Leisure Management (CLM).

''I loved my job and was passionate about it,'' Warena said.

''I'm devastated and upset and I'm just letting it all sink in.''

The full-time senior supervisor was taking it one step at a time and had spoken to the Rotorua Daily Post because many of his colleagues felt the same and were in shock.

Warena also wanted to acknowledge the support people had shown towards his fellow employees and the protest march on Thursday next week.

''I am overwhelmed by people in the community that have commented on Facebook and given us lots of support.''

Standing outside the aquatic centre, he tapped his heart and said, ''Some of that is in there and I've lost it."