Board misled over pool cover costs, claims submitter

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 640, 11 June 1996, Page 3

Board misled over pool cover costs, claims submitter

Figures on which the Waimarino Community Board based their decision to reject the proposal to cover the Ohakune Swimming Baths were misleading, says project promoter Dennis Beytagh. He claims the project would cost $350,000 and not the $982,500 as reported by the council staff. Mr Beytagh presented a submission to the Waimarino Community Board at their meeting last Thursday, saying there was a serious principle involved, that the board should have "accurate and unbiased" information on which to base their decisions. "I don't know the reason for this (whaf he says are 'hugely inflated estimates"). It could be genuine error, lack of sufficient research and consultation or an attempt to put the Ohakune Swimming Baths project in the 'toohard' basket," said Mr Beytagh. The estimates presented to the board when they considered the matter last year were based on the Taumarunui Trustbank Pool. 'The last thing we want are swimming baths like they have with the Trustbank baths in Taumarunui," stated Mr Beytagh. "The dark, dingy, claustrophobic Trustbank Pool is situated on a hill 3.6km from the centre of town and well away from the majority of the population. "By contrast the proposed Ohakune pool is situated close to town whose population increases to 5000-6000 each winter." He said the winter visitors had time on their hands to take advantage of the pool. Mr Beytagh said his proposal would see a cover similar to the one built over the Ohakea Airbase pool. He said this system is cheap and the building would be light and airy with mountain views. Its north facing wall would open up to allow easy access to a grass area when weather permitted. The council officer's report stated the installation of a heating unit would cost $185,000, but Mr Beytagh said this would be unnecessary as the heating unit already in place was adequate. He said the only (extra) heating equipment required is to heat the air in winter to reduce condensation. Mr Beytagh also challenged the running costs and the attendance figures required to cover the running costs of the pool. He said based on the present heating costs for three months, it would cost $2500 for 12 months, not the $20,000 quoted. In the council's report it was stated that the "average usage at Taumarunui Trustbank Pool is 18,000 patrons equivalent to 49 swimmers per day with a surrounding population approximately four times greater". "Board members were not told that the Taumarunui pool is situated on school grounds ... and the pool is closed to the public for most of the year during school hours." Mr Beytagh gave figures to support his assertion that people would be prepared to pay more than the $3 suggested

by the report to the board, citing the cost of such activities as mountain biking, roller blading, golf, squash, horse trekking and the Powderhom Chateau hot pool. "If the existing open air pool can sustain an average of 26 swimmers per day during the 2-3 months the baths are open (at present, for limited hours), the numbers of swimmers that could use an all weather facility ... would be in the hundreds." "My own impression is that the council would prefer to continue running the baths at a financial loss, of about $17,000 per year to ratepayers, rather than make what could be a huge profit if the baths were covered and at the same time provide the local community with an all-year-round, all- weather recreational facility," said Mr Beytagh. Supported Board member Ellen Gould supported the idea, saying it would be a "wonderful asset" to schools and of tremendous benefit to the local community. She said at present Ohakune Primary School can only teach children to swim in February, and by the time the following season comes around, most had forgotten what they had learned the year before. Board member Bob Peck said in winter people were happy to drive to Turangi and pay $4 for a swim and that he believed it was a good idea. "I know we don't have access to funds at present but we should look to provide this facility," he said. But... Board member John Compton said the Raetihi group 'Chills Off had raised $90,000 for a similar project for their pool without once going "cap in hand" to the council. He suggested Mr Beytagh take his proposal to that group. He said taxpayers' money had paid for the Waiouru pool and that fundraising carried out in the Waimarino had helped pay to cover that pool but that access to it was now in the hands of the Army. The board moved to support the proposal but suggested that Mr Beytagh and the Chills Off group join forces. Later in the meeting, council assistant chief executive Chris Ryan said he rejected Mr Beytagh's claims that the figures originally presented to the board were inaccurate.