6 Mar 2018

A new pool for the Linwood-Woolston area is a step closer with the Council asking residents for their views on where it should be built.

Council staff have investigated a number a potential sites for the pool complex and found a suitable option is 141 Smith St, Linwood Park, near the corner of Linwood Ave and Smith St. It is on good quality land that is already owned by the Council and was formerly used by a Council nursery.

A planned pool complex for the Linwood-Woolston area is a step closer.

A planned pool complex for the Linwood-Woolston area is a step closer with public consultation opening on 12 March.

Other sites looked at included Woolston Park, next to Te Waka Unua School, 180 Smith St (Council offices site), another Linwood Park site and Bromley Park at 170 Buckleys Rd.

The favoured site has a number of advantages, including being close to Eastgate Shopping Centre and next to the popular Linwood park. It’s a high profile site with a major cycleway nearby, and is a good distance from nearby houses so neighbours will not be disturbed. The Council also owns most of the surrounding land.

A final decision on the location for the $21 million facility will not be made until the community has the chance to have their say. Consultation opens on Monday 12 March and closes at 5pm on Monday 9 April. The Council website has more information on how to give feedback on the proposed location or suggest other sites.

Linwood-Heathcote-Central Community Board Chair Sally Buck says the board is delighted to take the next step forward in developing what will be a fantastic facility for the Linwood-Woolston area.

She encourages residents to give their feedback. “This is the community’s chance to make sure the new facility meets their needs and will be used by as many people as possible. Their input is really valuable.”

Public feedback already received says the facility needs to be inclusive and celebrate cultures in the area as well as offering a balance between pool, multi-sport and social spaces. It also needs to fit in well with Linwood Park and its future uses.

Drop-in sessions to discuss the Linwood-Woolston Pool and listen to community comments will be held on Saturday 17 March at the LYFE Event at Linwood Park from 4pm until 8pm, and Friday 23 March at Eastgate Mall, opposite Pascoes on the corner of Linwood Ave and Aldwins Rd, Linwood from 1pm until 3pm, and Saturday 24 March at the Woolston Gala, Woolston Park from 11am until 3pm.

Following the consultation phase, feedback will be considered and a recommendation on where the facility should be built will be made to the Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board.