A conceptual design of what the Ahuriri Rock Pools Development could look like. Image / Supplied
A conceptual design of what the Ahuriri Rock Pools Development could look like. Image / Supplied
A Hawke's Bay man is hoping to turn Ahuriri into the next Bondi Beach, breathing new life into a proposal to establish a rock pool swimming area in the popular tourist spot.
Graham Duncan, of the Ahuriri Rock Pools Development Trust, submitted his proposal for the rock pool development tothe Napier City Council as part of its Long Term Plan consultation process.
It includes a request for $5 million in funding to develop a six-lane 50-metre pool in front of Spriggs Park in Ahuriri, as well as a 25m senior citizen's pool and shallow children's pool.
They would be filled with salt water and open year round.
Each pool would also feature terraced concrete steps and seating, as well as a children's pool.
The Ahuriri development would feature a six-lane 50 metre pool, 25m senior citizen's pool and shallow children's pool similar to those at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Photo / Taine Noble
It would include golden sand from Nelson along the beach, a park upgrade, art deco fountain, changing rooms, café, restaurant and an information centre in the shape of cockles.
The total estimated cost of the project sits between $10m to 15m, with the plan to divide funding evenly between council, the government's Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-set Plan and local business and community members.
The project, which was the brainchild of former Napier City Councillor Ivan Wilson, first obtained approval from the Napier City Reserves Manager in 1995.
However, he passed away two weeks later and there was no one to carry on the project, Duncan explained.
Having spent many years swimming at the Bondi Beach pools while living in Sydney before moving to Hawke's Bay, Duncan hoped to "future proof" the coastal area along Ahuriri with the development.
He said it would "form a key cornerstone coastal protection asset", the volume of water in the pool helping absorb additional impacts of the waves.
"If we don't do this work, we'll just end up with a cold rock wall."
Graham Duncan, of Ahuriri Rock Pools Development Trust, would regularly swim at the Bondi Beach pools while living in Sydney and hopes to see a similar development here. Photo / Brandon Hoogenboom
The pools would also provide "family-oriented recreation and tourist activities" and a safe alternative swimming spot to nearby Pandora Pond, Duncan said.
"With tourism coming back and cruise ships, we want families to keep coming back to Napier.
"This is going to be a real asset and something quite special."
The pools would also complement a proposed Ahuriri Regional Park development and work going on at Napier Port, he said.
