The pool's 2025-26 season ran from December 19 to March 15. Photo / NZME
Whanganui East Pool has survived another vote on closure but a major upgrade project will not be finished before next season.
The pool’s hydroslide did not operate in 2025-26 and its diving board was removed before the 2024-25 season because of safety concerns.
Whanganui District Council aquatics manager Lucy Thompson said the refurbishment was approved last August for delivery in the 2025-26 financial year.
Elected members voted to add $2 million to the council’s budget for the work, following recommendations from a citizens’ assembly
But the project did not “have the benefit of the usual lead-in time to plan and deliver a project of this scale”, Thompson said.
“At first, there was confidence the project could be delivered in the set timeframe.
“However, following the local election, several elected members raised questions around scope, funding and timing.”
At a strategy and policy committee extraordinary meeting on March 19, councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan moved to close the pool for the coming season, which would save $190,000 for the next financial year.
She said it was prudent and “politically acceptable” and it would save 0.2% in rates for 2026-27.
“The pool is unheated and there are no enticing, fun recreational features in it,” Baker-Hogan said.
“I believe it would be foolish to invest in the pool prior to refurbishment.”
Councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay said he opposed “constant relitigation” of issues.
In 2024, council officers recommended closing the pool but that was overridden by elected members.
It survived another council vote following the citizens’ assembly recommendations last year.
“This council has made a commitment to keep the Whanganui East pool open and fully invest in its upgrade,” Chandulal-Mackay said.
Councillor Mike Hos said closing the pool for a season was a good idea.
“The pool needs to be shelved and we need to do the $2 million upgrade properly.”
The debate eventually became heated, with Deputy Mayor Michael Law accusing Baker-Hogan of having a “vendetta” against the pool, dating back to 2013, and saying the community would be “outraged” the issue had resurfaced.
Baker-Hogan said it was highly likely the community would have a refurbished pool for 2027-28.
“It’s just closing it for one summer while we plan for the refurbishment, and the community can get excited about that.”
Those in favour of the motion were Baker-Hogan, Hos and councillors Ross Fallen and Geoff Hipango, with Mayor Andrew Tripe, Law and councillors Chandulal-Mackay, Julie Herewini, Glenda Brown and Rob Vinsen against.
Councillors Peter Oskam, Charlotte Melser and Kate Joblin were absent.
There were 232 visitors to the pool from the opening on December 19 to December 31.
The season ran until March 15.
Thompson said visitor numbers for the entire season would not be finalised until the end of March.
“A large share of February and March attendance relates to school use,” she said.
The council had decided the next best step for the refurbishment was progressing through detailed design and quantity surveying, followed by a formal tender process, Thompson said.
“This will provide a clearer picture around scope, costs and priorities to ensure the project delivers the best possible value for the community while addressing essential plant and equipment upgrades.”
The council was committed to “a safe platform for recreational manus” and a 1m diving board and hydroslide would be considered as part of the design process.
“A diving board would need the pool to meet specific depth and safety requirements,” Thompson said.
“The hydroslide will need to be structurally assessed.
“Final decisions will be made at the end of the design phase, taking safety, community enjoyment and cost into account.”
Thompson said some work could begin before next season, with scheduling designed to minimise disruption to the community and staff.
Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.