Free entry to Manurewa Aquatic Centre helps kids learn water-wisdom, but is it a realistic or sustainable option? John Landrigan reports on mayor Len Brown's super-city election promise to ditch charges for council pools.
Two-and-a-half-year-old Kyan Young is one of a dozen preschoolers from Takanini Playcentre enjoying Manurewa's Aquatic Centre, for free. But the midweek dip is far more than just fun, says Kyan's mum Michelle Young.
It's about water safety and gaining confidence for the beaches over summer.
The Papakura resident says the preschoolers often go to neighbouring Manurewa Aquatic Centre because Papakura's pool charges at the gate.
"A lot of parents don't come if they have to pay,'' she says. "All pools should be free and accessible to all children.''
Manukau City offers free entry to its six council-owned swimming pools.
The six other Auckland councils all charge entry fees of varying rates.
Under the new super-city and new council, families such as Mrs Young's might have to pay to swim in the future.
This month, Manukau mayor Len Brown put his hand up for Auckland super-city's top job.
One of his policies is free entry to all council-owned swimming pools.
"When people see the number of youngsters using the pool there is clear social benefits to all of us,'' says Mr Brown, who believes there would be a 60 per cent drop in patronage if entry fees were introduced.
Free civic pools cost Manukau ratepayers - many of them non-swimmers - $7 million a
year.
The Aucklander conservatively estimates it could cost ratepayers about $21 million a year for free entry to the 21 public pools across the region.
Waitakere City Council runs West Wave, the largest aquatic centre in Auckland, with 1.2
million visitors a year.
Waitakere mayor Bob Harvey says, assuming no increase in use, it could cost Waitakere ratepayers an extra $2.5 to $3.5 million to drop fees.
The mayor, who is also a surf lifesaver, says another pool would be needed if the turnstiles were opened for free.
"West Wave would not be in a position to cope with a significant increase in demand.''
Rodney District Council has only one council-owned swimming pool, which is in the Leisure Centre Complex at Whangaparaoa.
Even with an entry fee, there is a $1.8 million shortfall in funding, which is covered by rates.
Auckland City councillor Greg Moyle says 1.8 million people now swim in the city's nine community pools. Even if the council stopped charging entry fees, it would be wrong to think the activity was free.
"This is not free. Someone has to pay. If you're not recovering your costs you're getting it from the ratepayer.''
Papakura ratepayers are still paying for the construction costs of their pool, says mayor
Calum Penrose.
"Our ratepayers and residents already contribute significantly to the cost of providing the pool.
"If the pool dropped its admission fee, this would simply load more cost on our ratepayers.''
Franklin District Council mayor Mark Ball says it is not viable to fully fund free swimming
pools "given the high cost of running aquatic centres when compared to other leisure facilities such as sport grounds''.
North Shore City mayor Andrew Williams says free entry to swimming pools would be fabulous right across Auckland - in an ideal world.
"Certainly, if Rodney Hide has his way, there will be no free services of any kind across
Auckland.
"I suspect that the grim facts and reality facing Auckland will mean this is unaffordable and not sustainable.''
Mr Williams suggests local boards should be bulk funded and have authority to decide how to spend within their own communities.
Splish splash, no cash
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