News that plans for a new pool in the Northwest of Auckland is one step closer has delighted community advocates.
It follows a funding timeline, beginning with $300,000 for FY26 for site selection and to explore partnership opportunities, being agreed by the council’s Planning, Environment and Parks Committee.
$14.8m has been earmarked as a contribution to progress the pool from FY30.
Waitākere Ward Councillor Shane Henderson says that the decision recognises the community need for expanded aquatic services in the wider area and reflects the hard work that has been put in so far by advocates for a new facility.
“The pool will be located in the Massey/Westgate area where there is currently a massive need for a new aquatic centre to serve our growing population.
“We started this term with the pool not even included in the ten-year plan.
“I've worked hard on this as I promised to do in the campaign, and now I can say that with more hard work and a little luck, we might even have spades in the ground within the next six years.
“To succeed, we will need to find further capital funding, and with public funds hard to come by, we need to be innovative and flexible.”
Henderson-Massey Local Board deputy chair Will Flavell is also pleased.
“This is a great win for our community,” he says.
“The Henderson-Massey Local Board has prioritised a new aquatic centre for many years. We are proudly passionate about providing access to spaces like this where people can learn vital skills, such as swimming.
“The next step in bringing this dream to fruition is to involve the community as much as possible so that our residents can be proud of their part in bringing the pool to life.”
As a next step, a representative group of interested stakeholders will be set up to progress plans for the pool and further capital funding.
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