Free pools too dear for Super City, say councillors

Critics condemn Brown's feasibility study as waste of time and money. Photo / Doug Sherring

Auckland councillor Cameron Brewer says Mayor Len Brown's plan to extend Manukau's free-swimming-pools policy in Manukau to the whole city is too expensive.

The Orakei councillor has joined Citizens & Ratepayers co-leader Christine Fletcher in questioning the wisdom of even commissioning a report into the cost and feasibility of providing free entry to 23 council-owned swimming pools.

It will also review subsidised water safety programmes.

Mr Brown said he was responding to an "overwhelming sentiment" across Auckland picked up during the election where people saw Manukau's policy as one they would love to have.

"Free access to swimming pools is a great gift to our young people, somewhere local to go and have fun, to be active and off the streets. Auckland is surrounded by water and it is critical our kids learn to be safe and confident around it," he said.

Last year, 1.8 million people used Manukau's six free pools at a cost to ratepayers of $6.76 million, or $3.76 a visit.

Mr Brewer said commissioning a report was a waste of time and money as there had been no call from the public or political mandate to give free pools beyond Manukau, where it was budgeted for and working well.

He said council-owned pools were already heavily subsidised by ratepayers and the charges of $6 for adults and $3 for children at some pools were no barrier.

"During the holiday it cost me and my 5-year-old $10.30 to go swimming at the Parnell Baths for the afternoon, yet it cost us $26 to go for a 90-minute movie.

"We already have free swimming in Auckland over summer, namely our plentiful beaches, particularly our safe inner-harbour ones," he said.

Adults pay between $3.10 and $7.80 at council-owned pools and up to $25 for a family.

Mr Brewer said as well as reducing council income, free entry to pools would result in new costs to cater for extra users, such as the need for more staff and more wear and tear.

Over the past five years, the residents of Mr Brewer's eastern bays ward have benefited from the resanding of Mission Bay, Kohimarama and St Heliers beaches at a cost of $9 million. The nearby Parnell Baths have also had about $4.6 million in improvements.

Mrs Fletcher has also cast doubt on the affordability of free swimming pools throughout the city.

"I do not want to be part of misleading the public. At the moment we have a funding gap just for our current level of services," she said.

The report into free swimming pools is part of Mr Brown's "100 projects in 100 days" programme.

Two other projects he has announced are setting up a reference group to address the sport and recreation needs of Auckland, and a separate reference group to look at disability issues.

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