Councillors want new look at site for aquatic centre

A $14 million aquatic centre which was approved for North Harbour Stadium a year ago may now go to a different site.

After a decade of debate, North Shore City Council voted for the modern community pool complex to go to the stadium instead of Massey University's Albany campus.

In its 10-year city plan, the council provides for the project to start in 2013-14.

Although the timing is up to the new Auckland Council, most North Shore councillors now want to review the site and the cost by March.

This gives time to give a clear guide on local wishes to their Super City successors.

Councillor Callum Blair said yesterday legal advice supported the council's right to turn round and look at alternatives, including the Massey campus.

"Things have changed because the city plan budget allows for $10 million on a pool instead of the $14 million which was the cost of the stadium one.

"I was scratching my head ... why would a 25m pool at the stadium cost $14 million when Massey said it could do a 50m one for $10 million with accessories?

"We are now going back out and saying this is what our budget is and what can you give us for that?"

At the same time, the council wants North Shore to be in the hunt for an international competition 50m pool if a regional Commonwealth Games bid succeeds.

Mr Blair said the council was asking the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health, as well as the stadium and the university, to submit a proposal for such a facility.

The move concerns North Harbour Stadium Trust chairman Reno Wijnstok, who reckons the council has spent $1 million over 10 years of delays.

"It shows why we need a Super City," he said.

"If we had one body responsible for the management of venues and facilities, we would not end up with four stadiums across Auckland and now another pool complex at Millennium, which is what the council is angling for.

"We've written to the Auckland Transition Authority about this crazy system and the immense amount of money wasted developing plans and recommendations - this is the third or fourth go at it."

Mike Stanley, of the Millennium Institute, said it had plans, before the council's invitation, for a second 50m pool at its Rosedale site.

"This fits in well with that plan."