Group sets sights on aquatic centre

Mark Boyle is determined to get a new pool and action centre for Te Puke. Photo / File

A new pool and action centre worth an estimated $7 million will be built in Te Puke within five years if the community has its way.

Stakeholders met last month to discuss the town's need for a new swimming pool as its current facility at the high school was nearing the end of its life span.

At the meeting, Te Puke Economic Development Group (EDG) chief executive Mark Boyle was named chairman of the steering committee for the new centre, which will include a 50m pool, a possible diving pool, and a multi-sports action centre.

The action centre would be used for indoor basketball and netball, an auditorium and even as an indoor training area for rugby and soccer teams, Mr Boyle said.

"It's gone from an idea to a definite plan. The pool at Te Puke High School was closed down for about three years and we got a group of people together and got it reopened, but that's a short term solution that won't last. Discussions around a new pool have been bandied around for a long time."

Mr Boyle said that, while there were no set plans yet, initial indications were the committee would be looking at about $7 million for the new facility.

"We'd like to get this group making things happen within three to five years maximum time frame."

Mr Boyle said the steering committee would be "hands on" throughout the fundraising process, but the community would also need to "take ownership" of the project.

He hoped to get support from the Lotteries Commission and TECT to fund the project, as well as community support.

The committee had five sites in mind, which Mr Boyle said he could not name before the public had been consulted, but all were in close proximity to the town centre and local schools.

"The town is of the size to justify a facility like this for school and public use. There isn't a 50m pool that I'm aware of in the Western Bay so hopefully it will attract people to Te Puke which will be of huge benefit to the town."

Te Puke High School principal Alan Liddle said he was "very keen" to be involved with a school and community facility of this kind.

"We have a gym but it's due for replacement. We have the Te Puke pool next door which is getting close to its end date so for us, it seems a very natural thing to have a gym and a pool that's either on site at the school or nearby so our kids can use it and other schools can as well."

Mr Liddle said the centre would be fantastic for the whole community.

Steering committee for a new Te Puke aquatic and action centre

* Chairman is Mark Boyle from Te Puke EDG

* The rest of the committee is made up of representatives from businesses, iwi groups, schools, sports clubs and local government.

* The group will meet monthly, with the first meeting to be held on March 16.