Oarsome news - Philippa Baker-Hogan

Whanganui District councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan.

THREE KEY FACTS

• The Whanganui East Pool is set to open this summer.
• The Velodrome in the centre of Whanganui, with a wooden track, needs protection.
• The opening of Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery has been long-awaited.

There’s been a rush of activity at council over the past month, including the long-awaited opening of Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery, decisions and community meetings around Whanganui hapū and iwi impending Crown land settlement negotiations and Whanganui Council’s unique relationship as part of that settlement, our council voting on its preferred Local Water Done Well water services delivery with Rangitīkei and Ruapehu councils, in a joint council controlled organisation (CCO) model for consultation and councillor Charlotte Melser’s unanimously supported notice of motion to oppose seabed mining in the South Taranaki Bight.

However, I am going to take this final opportunity to write a column to champion the benefits of an active community, the historical significance of our sporting heritage and facilities and to invite the community to talk to your elected members (mayor, council and MPs) on the importance of Whanganui continuing to invest in sport and recreation facilities in the next few years, now the Sarjeant project is complete.

You will notice the Whanganui East Pool is set to open this summer from December 18 to February 4, Tuesday to Saturday and thereafter for bookings only. As expected, there has been strong community push back with Sunday often seen as “family day”.

With a limited $300,000 operational and maintenance budget, limited availability of senior lifeguards, the need for two rostered days off in a row and weekends historically more popular in January, there is no easy solution.

We will monitor use over January and reconsider opening hours in February if it’s hot, usage suggests public hours will be popular and staff are available.

The options report on outdoor swimming will be considered early in 2025, to help inform decisions on long-term outdoor swimming options, with $2 million of capital funding budgeted in the 2025-26 years of the long-term plan (LTP).

This will be the key project for community consultation in the 2025-26 annual plan, but I fear the council will delay this decision until after the 2025 local body election. Whether the council makes a decision next year or not, a new or refurbished Whanganui East Pool will not be ready by 2026.

I won’t shy away from the need for a high-quality multi-events centre to add to the array of events, cultural and sporting that Whanganui needs to entice a hotel chain and reap the full economic benefits we can all benefit from, and the Velodrome in the centre of Whanganui, with a wooden track that needs protection, seems a no brainer, as long as we can ensure multi-use, not just track cycling.

Whanganui District Council building, in Guyton Street, Whanganui.

Thank you for reading and thanks to Midweek, Steve Carle and Paul Brooks prior for huge efforts in taking so many stories to our community. Merry Christmas everyone. I am still available by email: Philippa.Baker-Hogan@whanganui.govt.nz or cell: 027 272 7953.