Two-year gain for Albany pool

A long-promised swimming pool for Albany may be fast-tracked by two years, thanks to money from the sale of the North Shore City Council's old works depot.

The council collected $14.4 million from the sale and the cash reserves of its NSC Holdings company, and has $8.1 million of projects lined up to benefit, including revamps for Takapuna's Hurstmere Green and Birkenhead's Highbury Town Centre.

Yesterday, the council added $550,000 from the sale to boost the chances of a modern pool complex for its fast-growing northern area being ready in 2013-14.

In its long-term plan the council provided for the project to start at that time.

But the latest decision provides for a $10 million pool. In 2008, the council approved a $14 million version to be built at North Harbour Stadium.

But it changed its mind late last year and called for a review of the site and cost.

Now the council needs Auckland Transition Agency approval and a site decision.