Leaky Tinwald Pool closed for summer
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
It leaks 17,000 litres a day, has a failing plant and staffing issues so the Tinwald Pool will not open this summer to avoid being a drain on the ratepayers.
The future of the pool will be decided in the upcoming long-term plan (LTP) process.
Graham Ackroyd, a Tinwald resident all his life and on the Tinwald Reserve Board for 20 years, understands the motives behind the closure of the pool but said it will still come as a shock to the community.
“If you can’t staff something and it needs a lot of maintenance, it’s pretty hard.
“It’s a great asset and it would be a shame to see it close completely.
The pool's issues weren’t insurmountable but would need community support to get the funding it needs, he said.
The outdoor pool has been leaking about 17,000 litres a day each season, its plant is failing, and a rebuild of the 50-year-old pool is estimated to cost at least $3m.
The pool has also been a drain on ratepayers.
The pool’s highest patronage in any one season of 3050 in the 2020-/21 season resulted in a financial loss of $66,000.
On top of the leaks, failing plant, and financial constraints, the pool has been hampered by staffing issues with a lifeguard shortage.
All of the factors combined for the Ashburton District Council to decide not to open the pool this summer and to consider its future LTP.
Councillor Tony Todd said the closure was “a sound business decision over the emotional side of it".
“We have a pool that’s losing 17,000 litres a day which probably isn’t a good look.”
Staff issues, low patronage and the “true cost is $22 per head” means a replacement facility needs consideration in the LTP, he said.
“And if a new pool is actually needed.”
Deputy mayor Liz McMillan suggested changing to a pool key system that doesn’t require lifeguards like at rural community pools.
As Tinwald has the potential to have up to 300 swimmers, and the key system model is more suited to lower usage, people and capability general manager Sarah Mosely said.
It also wouldn’t solve the leaking issues or financial constraints, she said.
Reduced opening hours were an option but as that retained fixed costs and is at the whim of the weather it was overlooked.
Hampstead School’s pool is a possible option as a temporary alternative but the issue of staffing “doesn’t stop by going to another pool”, Mosely said.
The pool closure was disappointing but with the EA Networks pools residents are not missing out, mayor Neil Brown said.
“Maybe slightly disadvantaged if you live in Tinwald, but you still have an option to still keep swimming”.
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
Poll: Would you rather: Christmas in summer forever or winter forever?
Just a bit of a fun poll to get you thinking.
If you had to live out your Christmas days, would you prefer it was a summer Christmas or a winter Christmas?
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61.9% Summer
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36.6% Winter
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
Worst Xmas ever?
There's a a lot of planning that goes into Christmas day and sometimes things just don't go to plan. But it can be a good thing - a family mishap or hilarious memory that you can laugh about in Christmases to come.
Whether you burnt the dinner or were stranded at an airport...
Share your Christmas mishaps below!
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