Costs drain on school pool

Stanmore Bay School may lose its pool, which has been out of action since 2018.

It is one of only a small handful of local schools that still have their own pool.

Structural problems with the pool were identified in early 2018 and engineering consultants provided advice the following year. This coincided with changes to health and safety rules, including the way school pools are managed, fencing standards and additional staff training.

In an update to the school’s community last month, the Board of Trustees said the cost of reinstating the pool, including changes to comply with the new health and safety requirements, would be in the region of half a million dollars. A large chunk of that is related to health and safety.

The Ministry of Education does not fund pool upgrades, so the school would need to cover those costs via grants and fundraising. However, Government does pay for pool removal – estimated to cost around $50,000.

The board said in its report that its preference was to keep the pool, however this does not look viable. The decision, yet to be ratified, is that the pool will be removed and the area turned into a playground and learning area.

“It is a large and difficult decision that requires balancing what is best for the children and the school, while considering learning, health and safety, property and finances,” the report said.

Principal Matt Sides says the response to this announcement was mixed, and all feedback is being considered before the final decision is made.

Auckland Council’s Stanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre, near the school, has provided a venue for swimming sports and lessons to fill the gap.

Back stories, March 4, 2020