12 Apr 2018

Linwood Avenue School students have voiced their support for the proposed Linwood-Woolston Pool site in Smith Street, delivering their submissions directly to Community Board members.

Accompanied by their teacher, Jane Thomson, and Deputy Principal Trevor Proctor, the 26 students walked to the favoured pool site on the corner of Linwood Avenue and Smith Street to hand over their individual feedback to Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board Chairperson Sally Buck and Deputy Chairperson Jake McLellan.

Several youngsters read their project submissions to the Community Board members, making their case for the indoor pool site in Smith Street.

Sally Buck accepts a pool site submission from Reine Pene, 10.

Chairperson Sally Buck accepts a pool site submission from Linwood Avenue School student Reine Pene, 10.

The year five and six students delivered their plea on the final day of site submissions, saying they had included several facility suggestions.

Year six student Reine Pene, 10, strongly supports “the plan of putting the new pool on the corner of Smith Street”.

“It is important to know how to swim,” she says.

“If we are lucky enough to have the pool in Smith Street, I would also like a diving board to encourage people to conquer their fear.

“I would also like a pool for swimming lessons so people know how to survive.

“I think they should have a good number of car parks. I also think they should change the bus routes so disabled people and families who don’t have cars can get there easily.”

Ms Thomson says her writing class students have made their views clear, providing a very positive response to the proposed pool site near the school.

She says they recognise the importance of learning to swim and the opportunity to have access to a heated pool for lessons.

Ms Buck says the youngsters have highlighted their support for an indoor pool in Smith Street.

“We want the children to come to the Community Board meeting and present their case for the new pool site, underlining its importance for the area,” she says.

“The students have also included some extra ideas, such as having a cafe at the site.”

Mr McLellan says it is “awesome to see young people caring about the pool project and speaking out and showing their support”.

All feedback will now be considered by the pool project team and a site recommendation will go to the Community Board.

A decision is expected by mid-2018. Following the site decision, a second round of public consultation will seek feedback on the concept design.