The Takapuna Aquatic Centre needs vast improvements say locals, reports Helen Laurent
Nestled among the multimillion dollar homes on the banks of Lake Pupuke is possibly the yuckiest swimming centre on the North Shore. As we come to the end of one of the hottest summers on record, Aucklanders have been flocking to beaches, rivers and pools in an effort to cool down. But this pool, according to Takapuna Residents' Association, is a bit of a let-down. The association has concerns with the cleanliness and structure of Takapuna Aquatic Centre, which has long been a popular summer destination for North Shore families. Chairman Gavin Fletcher says the facility is run-down and unhygienic. He took up the matter with Takapuna community board in August last year and later that month association and community board members inspected it. The cleaning issues included dirty tiles, changing rooms and showers, broken lockers, dirty walls and bad water condition. Association member Don Bidwell, who uses the pool three times a week for swimming training, joined the inspection. The Takapuna resident says cleaning has improved at the centre but the more important issues of structural safety have not been addressed. He points out a leak from the building that runs into the car park, a fire risk in the design of seating for the public and a structural risk from the corrosion of bolts in the building's steel column as the main issues. "These things really should be fixed," says Mr Bidwell. "They are most important as they are about health and safety. "Many pools around New Zealand that I've swum in are older that this one and are in far better condition." He says the association has received many complaints about the centre and they will be taking the issue further with the council. Takapuna community board chairman Martin Lawes says the aquatic centre is not up to scratch. "We do acknowledge that progress has been made by early this year. The cleaning is of a better standard." North Shore City Council spokesperson Blair Harkness says there was a change of management but that cleaning and maintenance work was completed before Christmas.
What do you think of Takapuna Aquatic Centre? Email your point of view to: helen.laurent@theaucklander.co.nz
Pooling together
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