Centennial Pool Decision Potentially a Lifesaver

After a nine and a half month community campaign, Christchurch City Councillors have this morning voted to repair the central city’s Centennial Pool.

Save Centennial spokesperson, Simone Pearson, says that the vote by Christchurch City Councillors was to approve the undertaking of a feasibility study and more detailed costings to repair Centennial, however she makes it clear that her group considers the outcome of the feasibility study would be favourable given the pressing community need with no public pools in the east of Christchurch, and the recently Council commissioned report that shows it will cost ratepayers about $1.8 million to repair the facility.

“it’s a no brainer. The council is just going through due process to ensure they can justify the repair, which is why we are essentially taking the vote this morning, as a green light for the repair of this key community facility,” says Pearson. “The tone of the meeting and unanimous vote also confirmed this, several councillors reiterated how a quick repair of this facility would meet the urgent community need.”

Pearson says councillors have clearly listened to the community in reaching this decision, as the repair option was originally not on the table.

“Councillors have considered the wishes of the community and voted to support the repair,” she says. Pearson adds that having another public pool option will, among other things, help to support swimming lessons for children which could potentially help save lives.

“Without this repair to Centennial, we could have had thousands of children who were unable to swim or who swim poorly, to say nothing of the health benefits to the wider community,” she says. “We are thrilled councillors understand and appreciate how important it is that access to a public pool on the eastern side of the inner city, be possible and soon.”

Out of 2678 submissions received for the annual plan, more than 50% supported the rebuild of Centennial. Pearson and her group have been promoting a “no frills fix” for Centennial, which they say will create a safe facility that addresses the immediate community needs of access to a public pool in the area while construction of a new metro facility is underway.

“While we recognise there are people suffering with lack of access to housing and basic infrastructure, when it comes to fixing Centennial, it doesn’t have to be either or, and considering the relatively low cost of $1.8 million to repair the pool, this will deliver immeasurable benefit to the community.”

Pearson says the repair of the Centennial pool will help address the short to medium term need of the wider community including children, the elderly, the disabled, workers and families, residents.

“The city has managed to build a temporary rugby stadium in an incredible time with a sizeable budget and well done to everyone involved. Centennial is a year round facility used by a huge range of people in a community and we look forward to Council repairing it urgently.”

ENDS                                                                                                                    www.savecentennial.org.nz

For further comment, please contact Simone Pearson on 027 279 3000